Campus Chaos: Students Share Their Harrowing Escape

The Florida State University community was left reeling after a shocking incident on Thursday. A student opened fire, leaving two individuals dead and several others injured. The victims were Robert Morales, a dining coordinator and former football coach, and Tiru Chabba, a regional vice president at a campus vendor. Madison Askins, an FSU graduate student, was on her way to the student union for lunch when the unthinkable happened. She heard gunshots and immediately started running. Unfortunately, she tripped and fell but was helped up by a friend. However, she was soon struck by a bullet and decided to play dead. Askins recalled the chilling words of the gunman, "Yeah, keep running, " as he stood over her. She stayed on the ground until an officer came to her aid. Askins' emotions were overwhelming, but she remained focused on her survival. She chose to leave the bullet in her body for now, prioritizing her healing. The suspect, Phoenix Ikner, used a handgun that belonged to his stepmother, a current deputy. Askins, while critical of the situation, holds Ikner accountable for his actions. She believes he should live with the consequences of his choices. The incident has left the community in shock and mourning. FSU President Richard McCullough expressed the collective heartbreak, stating that such tragedies should never occur. Another student, Sage Toussaint, was inside the student union when the shooting started. She initially thought the gunfire was part of a performance or a flash mob. However, reality struck when she saw her friend had been shot. Toussaint ran to safety and ended up in a nearby campus facility, where a group was hiding in a bathroom. They stayed in lockdown for nearly two hours until the area was cleared. Toussaint's friend is recovering and may be released soon. Despite the trauma, Toussaint hopes to return to campus if classes resume on Monday. The incident raises critical questions about campus safety and the accessibility of firearms. It is a stark reminder of the need for better security measures and mental health support for students. The community must come together to support the victims and their families during this difficult time. The road to healing will be long, but with collective effort, it is possible to build a safer and more resilient campus environment.