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.
Crime
Former Texas Worship Minister and Christian Musician Jon Sheptock Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A married Christian musician and former worship minister who once performed at a rally for former President Donald Trump has been arrested on multiple child sexual abuse material (CSAM) charges, authorities confirmed.
According to officials, Jon Sheptock, a former minister at First Montgomery Baptist Church, was taken into custody on September 26 by detectives from the Montgomery County Constable’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit.
He faces charges of possession and production of child pornography following a detailed investigation into allegations of long-term misconduct.
The arrest was based on testimony from a woman who alleged that Sheptock stole a photograph of her approximately nine years ago, when she was 17 years old.
The victim told investigators that after sending her the image, Sheptock demanded explicit photographs and later sent her a video depicting a violent assault, warning that he “did not want that to happen to her.”
Court records further indicate that Sheptock showed the victim nude images of both adults and minors on his computer.
Investigators allege that the misconduct continued as recently as October 2023, when Sheptock reportedly sent a text message to the victim containing a nude image of young girls.
Before his arrest, Sheptock was widely known as a Christian recording artist and motivational speaker.
His now-deleted website biography stated that he was born without arms and with one leg shorter than the other, yet went on to describe himself as a “thriving Christian recording artist and speaker.” He has been married for 26 years and is the father of three daughters.
In a public statement, First Montgomery Baptist Church confirmed that Sheptock was immediately removed from all ministry responsibilities following his arrest.
The church emphasized that Sheptock did not hold any position involving direct contact with children, and there is no indication that minors associated with the church were involved or affected.
Sheptock gained wider public attention in January 2022, when he performed the national anthem at a rally for then-President Donald Trump, according to The Independent.
If convicted, Sheptock faces a potential prison sentence ranging from two to twenty years.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information to contact the Montgomery County Constable’s Office Human Traffic.