Early Thursday afternoon, April 17, an active school shooter was reported at Florida State University in Tallahassee. Students were sent an alert by the school to shelter in place and to avoid the student union, where the shooting was reported. Multiple individuals have been rushed to the hospital. Law enforcement, FBI, and officials from the school, city, and state are all on site as more information about the tragic event is released. As of 2:30 PM, it was reported that at least one individual was dead.
School Shooting At Florida State University Leaves Multiple Injured
Early in the afternoon on Thursday, around noon, an active shooter was reported at Florida State University and opened fire. The school sent out an alert, which was also shared on X, to warn the student body. “An active shooter has been reported in the area of Student Union. Police are on scene or on the way. Continue to seek shelter and await further instructions. Lock and stay away from all doors and windows and be prepared to take additional protective measures.” Later, a second alert stated, “Continue to shelter in place until law enforcement contacts you.” “Persons in need of immediate emergency assistance should call 9-1-1 or FSUPD at 850-644-1234.”
At the time, students could be seen fleeing the Florida State University campus and running across traffic to get away from the shooting. The school cancelled all classes and events for the day and urged anyone off campus to stay off campus. Multiple officials were at the scene, including the fire department, police force, FBI, and local and state officials. Staff from the Attorney General’s office for Florida were also present.
It is currently unclear how many individuals from Florida State University were injured and the extent of their injuries. Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare confirmed through a representative that it has received multiple patients. “At this time, details are still unfolding, and we do not yet have specific information to share,” the representative said. “However, we want to assure the community that our teams are fully mobilized and prepared to provide the highest level of care and support to all those affected.” In a new statement, the hospital confirmed 6 injured so far, ranging from serious to critical condition. Police officials also confirm one fatality.
Student Danielle Streety shared the terrifying moment and ordeal with NBC News. “I did see them carry out one student in what looked like on a stretcher and kept them in the road until an ambulance was able to pick them up. Directly across from me there’s a building about 50 feet outside of the window. … There was a student injured there as well and they had to transport them in a desk chair to the road to then be transported via ambulance. Actually, a couple of faculty that work in the building I’m in ran up after the sirens went off to take shelter with me. And said they heard the gunshots and were running,”
The Florida State University campus remains in lockdown, and students are being evacuated from the campus by law enforcement. As of 2:03 PM, the Tallahassee police department has reported that they have one individual in custody. Florida State University has cancelled all programs and sports through the weekend.
School Shooting At Florida State University Part Of Growing Concern
The Florida State University school shooting that occurred on Thursday would mark the second time on Florida State University’s campus, the last one occurring in 2014, in which two students and an employee were shot. Earlier this week, there was another school shooting at a high school in Texas, the second such event in that school’s history as well. School shootings continue to occur at alarming rates in the United States, and the fallout leaves communities devastated, families torn apart, and victims and witnesses traumatized.
Gun laws are a hot-button issue in politics, as are mental health laws. Politicians have advocated for common-sense gun laws, increased mental health availability, increased school security, and other possible measures to help curb the rate at which school shootings take place, but at this time, few have been passed.
In response to the shooting, current FBI Director Kash Patel shared on X that his team has been briefed and that they are providing immediate support. “We will provide full support to local law enforcement as needed. Please keep the FSU community in your prayers.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also responded on X, “Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding.” Florida House Speaker Danny Perez also released a statement, requesting more information, and stating, “But we are thinking of everyone on campus. Our prayers are with Florida State at this moment.”
President Trump also responded to the event through the white house reporters. “It’s a shame. Horrible thing,” Trump said. “Horrible that things like this take place, and we’ll have more to say about it later.” With many politicians again responding the way that often happens in these events, hopefully, there can be a push to make changes to reduce the number of these tragedies in our country.
The situation and investigation are actively ongoing, and information is being released frequently. As more details emerge, the story will be updated accordingly.
