FSU Shooting Prompts Lockdown, Suspect in Custody \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A shooting at Florida State University on Thursday left multiple victims injured and led to widespread campus lockdowns. A suspect has been taken into custody, though few details are known. The FBI and local law enforcement continue to investigate, as students, families, and officials react to the tragedy.
Quick Looks
- Multiple victims reported; at least six hospitalized, one in critical condition.
- The shooting occurred near the FSU student union midday Thursday.
- A suspect was taken into custody; no further details released.
- FBI and state officials are on the scene investigating.
- Campus placed on lockdown; students sheltered in place for hours.
- Florida A&M University canceled classes in response to the shooting.
- President Trump and Gov. DeSantis say they’ve been fully briefed.
- Classes, activities, and athletic events canceled through the weekend.
- Witnesses describe panic, lockdowns, and emergency rescues.
- Scene reminiscent of FSU’s 2014 library shooting.
Deep Look
Florida State University was thrust into chaos on Thursday as gunfire erupted on campus, sending students running for safety and drawing a massive law enforcement response. Authorities confirmed that multiple people were injured in the shooting and that a suspect was taken into custody. The full scope of the incident remains under investigation, but early reports describe a harrowing day marked by confusion, fear, and a swift lockdown of the Tallahassee campus.
According to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, at least six victims were hospitalized — one in critical condition and others listed as serious. Emergency personnel from multiple agencies descended on the university after an active shooter alert was issued near the student union around midday.
A Campus in Crisis
Eyewitnesses described a scene of sudden panic. Chris Pento, a father visiting campus with his twins for a tour, recalled hearing gunshots while eating lunch inside the student union. “It was surreal,” he told local TV station WCTV. “People just started running.”
After discovering locked exits, Pento and others crammed into a service elevator — a terrifying moment as they waited, uncertain whether the violence was escalating. When the doors opened, they were met by armed officers who ushered them to safety.
Nearby, sophomore Kai McGalla was taking a test in a computer lab when the sirens began blaring. “I’m in shock,” he said while still locked down. “It’s so hard to believe. The first thing you think is, ‘This can’t be true.’”
At a bowling alley in the lower level of the union, 21-year-old student Ryan Cedergren and dozens of others took cover after seeing panicked students running from a nearby bar. “In that moment, it was survival,” he said. University police eventually escorted them out. Cedergren later saw someone being treated on the lawn.
Massive Response, Minimal Details
The identity and motive of the suspect have not yet been released. A source familiar with the case told The Associated Press that the person is in custody, but provided no further information. The source spoke on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
The FBI confirmed that agents from its Jacksonville field office are assisting local police. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Department of Justice is also in contact and closely monitoring the situation. “Our priority is the safety of everyone involved,” Bondi posted on social media.
FBI Director Kash Patel said his team had been briefed and offered “full support to local law enforcement as needed.” He urged the public to keep the FSU community in their prayers.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis echoed those sentiments, writing on X, “Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding.”
President Donald Trump, speaking at a meeting with Italy’s prime minister, addressed the incident briefly. “It’s a horrible thing. It’s horrible that things like this take place,” he said, confirming he had been fully briefed.
Classes Canceled, Events Postponed
As a precaution, nearby Florida A&M University canceled all classes and student activities for the remainder of the day. Employees were encouraged to work remotely.
Florida State University followed with its own cancellations. All home athletic events, including three baseball and three softball games, have been called off through Sunday. It is unclear whether FSU teams scheduled to play away games will be affected.
Echoes of 2014
For longtime members of the FSU community, Thursday’s violence stirred painful memories of the 2014 shooting at Strozier Library. In that incident, gunman Myron May, a former FSU student and attorney, shot three people before being killed by police. One student, Farhan “Ronny” Ahmed, was left paralyzed. The others suffered less severe injuries.
May had suffered from delusions and believed he was being targeted by the government — a belief documented in journals and videos recovered by police.
The 2014 shooting had a profound impact on campus safety measures and left a lasting imprint on the university. Thursday’s events have now reopened old wounds.
Scene of the Shooting
Following the alert, patrol cars, fire trucks, and ambulances flooded the FSU campus. Students streamed away from the union area, many with phones in hand, tears in their eyes, or in the embrace of friends and strangers alike. Dozens gathered near the music school, anxiously awaiting word on friends or loved ones.
The Leon County Medical Examiner’s Office has not confirmed any fatalities as of Thursday evening, stating only that the investigation is ongoing.
About FSU
Florida State University is one of the state’s 12 public universities, located just minutes from the Capitol in Tallahassee. It serves approximately 44,300 students. The school’s size and proximity to major government institutions make any major incident on campus particularly sensitive and high-profile.
Looking Ahead
As the investigation continues and more details emerge, officials have urged the public to remain calm and await verified information. For students, parents, and faculty, the emotional toll is already immense.
“This is something no community ever wants to face,” said one campus official. “But we will stand together and support each other through the days ahead.”
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