Another shooting shakes FSU community after Parkland tragedy

On April 17, 2025, tragedy struck Florida State University (FSU) when a gunman opened fire near the student union, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuring six others. This incident resonated deeply with students, particularly Robbie Alhadeff, whose sister, Alyssa, was one of the 17 victims in the 2018 Parkland high school shooting. Alhadeff, who faced immense grief and trauma following his sister's death, found himself reliving those horrifying feelings as he received texts about the latest shooting while heading to his apartment. The ongoing fear and anxiety surrounding campus safety have heightened for him and many of his friends, particularly those who also survived the Parkland tragedy. Alhadeff articulated the sentiment of his peers, expressing how they felt terrified about returning to school after such a violent event. This shooting marks another painful reminder of the epidemic of gun violence affecting educational institutions across the nation. In the aftermath, some Parkland families expressed their outrage and heartbreak over yet another shooting incident in a place where students should feel safe. Manuel Oliver, whose son Joaquin was killed during the Parkland shooting, underscored the need for change by stating that people should not be surprised by the recurrence of these tragedies if no preventative measures have been taken. Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime also lost her life in the Parkland shooting, highlighted the ongoing risks as some of Jaime's former classmates were present during the FSU shooting. The suspect in the FSU shooting, Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old FSU student, was shot by police and is expected to survive. The police have not yet disclosed the identities of the two victims but confirmed that neither were students of FSU. Following the incident, the university took immediate action by canceling classes and sporting events for the weekend. Authorities are still investigating the motives behind the shooting, but the emotional scars left on those affected by both shootings remain profound and unhealed. As discussions around gun control and campus safety intensify, this tragic event reopens wounds for families and students who are still grappling with the impacts of the Parkland shooting. The repeated occurrences of mass violence in educational settings have reignited calls for significant reforms to address gun violence in America. Alhadeff's and others' pleas for change highlight the urgent need to create a safer environment for students, reinforcing the idea that something must change to prevent future tragedies.