Crime
Victims in FSU Shooting Identified as Aramark Employee and Campus Dining Services Employee
All surviving victims are expected to make a full recovery.
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) is continuing to treat several victims following the mass shooting on the Florida State University campus that left two people dead and six others wounded on Thursday.
Hospital officials confirmed that patients were admitted with gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen, with three individuals requiring surgical intervention.
As of 9 a.m. Friday, two patients were expected to be discharged, while three others were reported to be in improving condition.
One patient remains in fair condition.
All surviving victims are expected to make a full recovery.
The two individuals killed in the incident were identified as food service workers. One of the victims, Robert Morales, was a campus dining employee originally from Miami-Dade County.
Morales, who had worked at FSU since 2015, is survived by his wife and daughter.
His family issued a statement via social media: “Today we lost my younger brother. He was one of the victims killed at FSU. He loved his job at FSU and his beautiful wife and daughter.”
The second deceased victim was an employee of Aramark, the university’s food services contractor.
The individual’s name has not yet been publicly released.
In a statement, an Aramark spokesperson expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy:
“We are heartbroken to confirm that an Aramark employee was among those killed at FSU yesterday in that senseless act of violence. We are absolutely shaken by the news, and our deepest sympathies are with the family and our entire Aramark community.”
Hospital leadership also acknowledged the community’s support:
“We are grateful for the outpouring of support for our emergency, trauma, and nursing teams. We are honored to be the hospital providing care to these patients,” TMH stated.
The suspected gunman, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, remains hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Ikner, a Florida State University student, is the son of a veteran deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said he used one of his stepmother’s firearms during the shooting.
In a press release issued Friday morning, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell described the attack as a “heinous and despicable act of violence.”
“Our hearts are with the victims, families, students, and larger Florida State University community in the wake of this tragedy,” Revell said. “Sadly, two adult males were killed, and five others were injured by gunfire. An eighth individual sustained injuries while attempting to flee. The suspect, Phoenix Ikner, remains in custody, and the investigation remains active. We are committed to bringing justice to the victims.”
The university announced it will host a candlelight vigil Friday evening at Langford Green to honor the victims.
In addition, mental health and counseling resources will be available to students from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Askew Student Life Center.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the shooting.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.