What to know about the shooting at Florida State University

Two people were killed and six others were wounded when a gunman opened fire at Florida State University, and police said a 20-year-old suspect — the stepson of a sheriff's deputy — was shot and taken into custody.

The university issued an active shooter alert at midday Thursday near the university's student union. A campus lockdown was lifted shortly after 3 p.m. when Florida State’s alert system announced that law enforcement had “neutralized the threat.”

Students and staff on Friday were allowed into buildings near the shooting to retrieve their belongings, which police ordered left behind in the immediate chaotic aftermath.

Geology major Josh Jontiff collected his backpack containing his laptop and other materials from his calculus class a few hundred yards (meters) from the shooting scene.

When projector screens in the classroom flashed a message about an active shooter on Thursday, “we all filed to one side of the room and turned the lights off,” Jontiff said.

Police officers with guns drawn then banged on the door and led the group outside with their hands on their heads.

“It was a very scary situation," Jontiff said. “I tried to keep calm and keep others around me calm.”

On Friday, a steady stream of students and others brought flowers, balloons, teddy bears and candles to a memorial near the student union. Among them were three members of the Florida State women’s volleyball team who held hands in a brief prayer circle.

“I don’t think any words can do it justice,” said Audrey Rothman, a junior.

Brooke Poppe, a freshman, said she was lifting weights in a gym when she heard the gunshots, then blaring sirens. They were locked down in the gym for hours. “It was really scary,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve fully processed what happened yet.”

A small group of FSU students have endured both Thursday’s shooting as well as the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

A few miles from campus, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church began a Good Friday service with prayers for the shooting victims and families. The Rev. R.B. Holmes said he visited victims at the hospital with Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey, who attended the service.

“We’re not going to emphasize the tragedy,” Holmes said. “We’re going to emphasize hope and healing. Our faith says we shall overcome. I said to the students we will be there for them.”

During a packed evening vigil, university President Richard McCullough called for a moment of silence for the victims and the campus community.

“These have been some of the hardest days that Florida State University has ever faced," McCullough said. "This terrible act of violence shook our community. This kind of tragedy shouldn’t happen. Not here. Not anywhere. We are heartbroken.

“We will carry this loss with us. We’ll carry it together. But we will move forward."

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday ordered U.S. and Florida flags statewide to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Monday in memory of the “lives lost in this tragedy and to recognize the bravery shown by the first responders."

One of the two who died was Robert Morales, who helped run campus dining services, according to university senior vice president Kyle Clark.

Morales developed innovative menus, especially Cuban food, Clark said at the campus vigil. He was also a former assistant football coach at nearby Leon High School.

The other was Tiru Chabba, 45, a married father of two children from Greenville, South Carolina, who worked for a food service vendor, according to Michael Wukela, a spokesman for attorneys hired by the family.

Medical staff who treated the injured at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare said at a news conference that all six patients are expected to make full recoveries. They said two patients are expected to be discharged Friday.

Three patients have been upgraded to good condition and one patient remains in fair condition. The hospital did not clarify the condition of the shooter, who police officials said Thursday was being treated at a local hospital.

Leon County Sheriff Walter McNeil identified the suspect as Phoenix Ikner, the stepson of a sheriff’s deputy within his department. McNeil said the deputy's former service weapon was used in the shooting and found at the scene.

McNeil said Ikner was a long-standing member of the sheriff’s office’s youth advisory council and engaged in a number of training programs with the office. He added that the suspect's stepmother has been with the sheriff's office for over 18 years.

“We will make sure that we do everything we can to prosecute and make sure that we send a message to folks that this will never be tolerated here in Leon County, and I dare say across the state and across this nation,” McNeil said.

The university confirmed Friday that Ikner was a student enrolled for the spring 2025 semester after transferring from Tallahassee State College, where he earned an associates degree last fall. He was a junior studying political science, FSU spokeswoman Amy Farnum-Patronis said via email.

Authorities have not yet revealed a motive for the shooting.

When Ikner was a child, his parents were involved in several custody disputes with his biological mother, court records show.

In 2015, when he was 10, his biological mother, Anne-Mari Eriksen, said she was taking him to South Florida for spring break in 2015 but instead traveled to Norway. After returning to the U.S., she pleaded no contest to removing a minor from the state against a court order and was sentenced to 200 days in jail. She later moved to vacate her plea, but that was denied.

In the fall of that same year, Eriksen filed a civil libel-slander complaint against Jessica Ikner, along with several other family members. The complaint, which was later dismissed, accused them of harassing Eriksen and abusing Ikner’s position at the sheriff’s office.

In 2020, at age 15, the suspect received court approval to change his name from Christian Eriksen to Phoenix Ikner, court documents show. His old name was a constant reminder of a “tragedy” he suffered, in the words of administrative magistrate James Banks, who approved the request, NBC News reported.

Banks observed that Ikner was a “mentally, emotionally and physically mature young adult who is very articulate” and “very polite” said he chose the new name as a representation of “rising from the ashes anew.”

When the shooting happened, Deputy Jessica Ikner of the Leon County Sheriff's Office was 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away at Raa Middle School, where she was on duty as a school resource officer. A sheriff’s office spokesperson said Ikner worked to secure the campus to prevent anyone from entering as Raa went into “lockout mode,” along with all of the county’s public schools.

As of Friday, the deputy was reassigned to the sheriff’s office’s property crimes unit, spokesperson Shonda Knight told The Associated Press. Following the shooting, Ikner requested and was granted personal leave.

Associated Press writers Kate Payne and Curt Anderson in Tallahassee, David Fischer and Freida Frisaro in Fort Lauderdale, Stephany Matat in West Palm Beach, Michael Schneider in Orlando, Mike Balsamo in New York, Eric Tucker and Christopher Megerian in Washington, and John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, contributed.

A student mourns during a vigil on the Florida State campus at Langford Green, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

A student mourns during a vigil on the Florida State campus at Langford Green, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025, after a school shooting the day before. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

The day after an active shooter on campus Florida State held a vigil on campus at Langford Green, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

The day after an active shooter on campus Florida State president Richard McCullough addresses a vigil on campus at Langford Green, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

The day after an active shooter on campus Florida State president Richard McCullough addresses a vigil on campus at Langford Green, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

The day after an active shooter on campus Florida State students place electronic candles on a platform during a vigil on campus at Langford Green, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

A student mourns during a vigil on the Florida State campus at Langford Green, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Flags flown at half-staff near the Florida State Student Union building, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Flowers placed by students sit next to a sign for the Florida State Student Union building, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Flowers placed by students sit near police tape near the Florida State Student Union building, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey addresses the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church congregation about the shooting at Florida State University before a Good Friday service, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

A student places flowers near the Florida State Student Union building, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

A student places a candle near the Florida State Student Union building, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Students carry flowers near the Florida State Student Union building, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

A sign that reads "Forever Stands Unconquered," is placed among flowers near the Florida State Student Union building, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

A student places heart-shaped balloons near the Florida State Student Union building, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Students wait to retrieve their personal items from the Florida State Student Union building, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Students place flowers on a stretch of sidewalk near the center of the Florida State campus in sight of the Student Union building, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Students gather on a stretch of sidewalk near the center of the Florida State campus in sight of the Student Union building, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Students leave after retrieving their personal items from the Florida State Student Union, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Students gather on a stretch of sidewalk near the center of the Florida State campus in sight of the Student Union building, Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Law enforcement officers gather after a shooting at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

The Florida State University Student Union building and surrounding roads are blocked by law enforcement vehicles, Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

The Florida State Student Union building is seen behind law enforcement vehicles in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

The Florida State Student Union building is seen behind law enforcement vehicles in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

The Florida State Student Union building is seen behind law enforcement vehicles in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

The Florida State Student Union building is seen behind law enforcement vehicles in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

The Florida State Student Union building is seen behind law enforcement vehicles in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

A Florida State University sign is displayed in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

The Florida State Student Union building is seen behind law enforcement vehicles in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

The Florida State Student Union building is seen behind law enforcement vehicles in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Dozens of patrol vehicles, including a forensics van, are stationed outside of Florida State University’s student union building, the scene of a shooting, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Kate Payne)

Dozens of patrol vehicles, including a forensics van, are stationed outside of Florida State University’s student union building, the scene of a shooting, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Kate Payne)

Dozens of patrol vehicles, including a forensics van, are stationed outside of Florida State University’s student union building, the scene of a shooting, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Kate Payne)

Dozens of patrol vehicles, including a forensics van, are stationed outside of Florida State University’s student union building, the scene of a shooting, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Kate Payne)

Florida State University students wait for news amid an active shooter incident at the school’s campus in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025 (AP Photo/Kate Payne)

Florida State University students wait for news amid an active shooter incident at the school’s campus in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025 (AP Photo/Kate Payne)

Florida State University students wait for news amid an active shooter incident at the school’s campus in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025 (AP Photo/Kate Payne)

Florida State University students wait for news amid an active shooter incident at the school’s campus in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, April 17, 2025 (AP Photo/Kate Payne)

People comfort each other on Florida State University’s campus in Tallahassee, where law enforcement responded to a reported active shooter incident Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Kate Payne)

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks wavered on Wall Street Friday to kick off the new year as early gains led by technology stocks failed to hold up.

The S&P 500 rose 0.2% after shifting between small gains and losses throughout the morning. The benchmark index is coming off a gain of more than 16% in 2025.

The Nasdaq composite rose 0.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 289 points, or 0.6%, as of 2:32 p.m. Eastern.

Major indexes are closing a mostly tepid, shortened holiday week. Markets were closed Thursday for New Year’s Day.

Markets in Europe and Asia made strong gains. Indexes in Britain and South Korea hit records.

Technology stocks were steering the market, especially companies with a focus on artificial intelligence, continuing the trend that pushed the broader market to records in 2025.

Nvidia jumped 1.4% and was the biggest force trying to push the market higher. Broadcom rose 0.4%. But a 0.7% drop from Apple and a 2.4% fall for Microsoft helped to counter those gains.

Those technology companies are among the most valuable companies in the world and their outsized valuations give them more influence on the market's direction. That includes sometimes pushing the market up and down from hour to hour.

Technology companies have been a major focus because of advancements in artificial intelligence technology and the potential for growth within the sector. Wall Street has been betting that demand for computer chips and other items needed for data centers will help justify the big investments from technology companies and their pricey stock values.

Tesla fell 2.6% after reporting falling sales for a second year in a row.

Furniture gained ground following President Donald Trump's move to delay increased tariffs on upholstered furniture. RH rose 9.5% and Wayfair rose 6.3%.

E-commerce giant Alibaba climbed 4.3% and Baidu, maker of the Ernie chatbot, jumped 9.4% in Hong Kong after it said it plans to spin off its AI computer chip unit Kunlunxin, which would list shares in Hong Kong early in 2027. The plan is subject to regulatory approvals.

Crude oil prices were mostly stable. Prices for U.S. crude oil fell 0.1% to $57.38 per barrel. The price of Brent crude, the international standard, fell 0.1% to $60.77 per barrel.

The price of gold fell 0.2%.

Treasury yields held steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.19% from 4.17% late Wednesday. The yield on the two-year Treasury, which moves more closely with expectations for what the Federal Reserve will do, held at 3.48% from late Wednesday.

Wall Street will move past the mostly quiet holiday season after Friday. The first full week of the new year will include several closely watched economic updates. They will also be some of the last big updates the Fed sees before its next meeting at the end of January.

Next week will feature private reports on the status of the services sector, which is the largest part of the U.S. economy, along with consumer sentiment. Government reports on the job market will also be released. They will all help paint a clearer picture of how various parts of the U.S. economy closed out 2025 and where it might be headed in 2026.

The Fed has had a more difficult task because of the complex shifts within the economy. It cut interest rates three times toward the end of 2025, partly to help counter a weakening jobs market. But inflation remains above its target rate of 2% and cutting interest rates could add more fuel to rising prices. Consumers have already expressed more caution amid the squeeze from stubborn inflation and the U.S. trade war with much of the world has added more uncertainty.

The Fed has already signaled concern and caution. Wall Street is betting that the central bank will hold its benchmark interest rate steady at its January meeting.

AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed to this report.

Trader Jonathan Mueller works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Specialists Patrick King, left, and Douglas Johnson work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Trader Vincent Napolitano, foreground, works with colleagues on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Trader Fred Demarco works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Trader Jonathan Mueller works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Trader Michael Capolino works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

A screen shows the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) as participants applaud during the opening ceremony of the 2026 trading year at the Korea Exchange in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Dancers in traditional costumes perform to celebrate the opening for the 2026 trading year outside of the Korea Exchange in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

A worker walks near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) after the opening ceremony of the 2026 trading year at the Korea Exchange in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

South Korean financial officers celebrate the opening for the 2026 trading year outside of the Korea Exchange in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Dancers in a bull-shaped costume perform to celebrate the opening for the 2026 trading year outside of the Korea Exchange in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)