At least two people were killed and five others wounded on Thursday after a shooting at Florida State University, with a suspect taken into custody, local media reported.
FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbower said at an afternoon press conference that the two killed were not students. It is believed that the gunman was a student.
Gunfire was reported at midday at the Student Union building on the FSU campus in the state capital of Tallahassee.
The university's official emergency notification and warning system advised that students shelter in place as police responded to the shooter.
This is a Emergency Message for Florida State University Tallahassee Campus. Continue to shelter in place. Police have responded to an active shooter call at the Student Union. Stay alert for more information.Persons in need of immediate emergency ass https://t.co/gEA734rmI0
— FSU Alert (@FSUAlert) April 17, 2025
McKenzie Heeter, a junior at FSU, described the shooting to NBC News.
“I was leaving the union with my food. There’s a road next to it, and I was walking, and this guy pulls up in an orange Hummer, and he gets out with a rifle and shoots in my direction. There were a couple of other kids near me,” Heeter said.
“I think he was shooting, and he missed. So he goes back into his car and grabs a pistol, then he turns and shoots the lady in front of him. That’s when I just started running.”
Heeter told NBC she heard, "about 15 rounds fired for about 20 to 30 seconds." She said she then called the police at 11:57 a.m. to report the shooting.
'FSU campus is secure'
Three hours after the shooting was first reported, the Tallahassee police posted an update on the situation on X, stating that the FSU campus was secure.
The @FloridaState campus has been secured. Multiple law enforcement agencies remain on site for the ongoing investigation. The Student Union & surrounding area are still considered an active crime scene. Individuals should not return to the area for any reason. (1/2)
— Tallahassee Police (@TallyPD) April 17, 2025
"Multiple law enforcement agencies remain on site for the ongoing investigation. The Student Union and surrounding area are still considered an active crime scene. Individuals should not return to the area for any reason," the police reported.
Police added that authorities will brief the public at 4:30 pm EST.
Additionally, the university announced through its emergency alert system that law enforcement had "neutralized" the shooter.
The university also urged students to avoid the student union building, where the shooting occurred, but stated that students were free to move around the rest of the campus.
This is a developing story.