President Donald Trump Addresses Deadly FSU Shooting – His Message Ignites a Public Stir
The U.S. president responded from the White House in a sad manner after a tragic shooting occurred on a university campus in Tallahassee, Florida.
In the wake of the tragic events at Florida State University on Thursday, April 17, 2025, President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the Oval Office on Friday with a somber message.
“It’s a heartbreaking situation. It’s always deeply troubling when something like this happens,” the President said. He added that he had been “fully briefed” on the incident and described the tragedy as “a real shame.”
When pressed by reporters on whether the tragic shooting at Florida State University would prompt reconsideration of gun laws, President Donald Trump reaffirmed his unwavering support for the Second Amendment.
“These events are truly awful,” Trump acknowledged. “But it’s people—not guns—who are responsible.” His words echoed a familiar sentiment he’s often expressed on the issue.
He added, “In terms of legislation, this is something that’s been debated for a long time. My responsibility is to uphold the Constitution, and that includes defending the Second Amendment.”
Trump emphasized that protecting gun rights was a cornerstone of his political platform: “I ran on the Second Amendment, and I will always stand by it.”
The President also noted his personal familiarity with the area, mentioning that he knows “the region very well,” along with the university and the state of Florida.
President Trump’s remarks following the Florida State University shooting ignited a storm of reactions online, showcasing a deeply divided public.
“Such deep and wise words from our profound leader,” one supporter wrote sarcastically, sparking debate in the comments thread.
Others were far more critical. “I’m surprised they managed to get a statement from him between golf rounds 🙄,” one user quipped. Another posted, “He doesn’t know the words—he’s never shown empathy or sympathy for anyone but himself.”
One user offered a more heartfelt message: “We must not undervalue the consequences of this tragic event. My thoughts are with all those affected.”
But harsher sentiments dominated the digital discourse. “His lack of compassion is deafening,” one person commented. Another urged, “Trump, try using your big boy words.” A third chimed in dryly, “So articulate.”
“1st grader talk?” someone asked pointedly. “This is the first time he’s acknowledged a school shooting this year. What don’t we know yet?” another questioned, suggesting public distrust.
The wave of reactions followed Trump’s brief Oval Office statement on the fatal incident that left the FSU community reeling. According to the Miami Herald, six people were injured and two were killed in the campus shooting.
The suspected gunman in the Florida State University shooting has been identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a current FSU student and the son of a Leon County Sheriff’s deputy.
Authorities confirmed that the weapon used in the attack had previously belonged to his mother, who had legally purchased it for personal use. Ikner was shot and apprehended by responding officers at the scene.
The shooting occurred just before noon near the university’s student union, shaking the campus and surrounding community. According to police, the two individuals killed were not enrolled at FSU. Six others were wounded and transported to nearby hospitals. Their conditions have not been disclosed.
A motive for the attack has yet to be determined.
Leon County Sheriff Walter McNeil expressed the department’s shock, noting their close familiarity with the suspect. Ikner had been actively involved with the sheriff’s Youth Advisory Council and participated in several of the department’s training initiatives.
“He’s been deeply involved in the Leon County Sheriff’s Office family,” McNeil stated during a press conference. “Given his background and participation in multiple programs, it’s unfortunately not surprising that he had access to firearms.”
Investigators are continuing to piece together the events leading up to the attack as the community grapples with the tragedy.
FSU Campus on Lockdown After Shooting: Students Recount Terror, Leaders React
A campus-wide lockdown was swiftly enacted at Florida State University following the deadly shooting near the student union on Thursday. The sudden outbreak of violence sent waves of panic across the campus, forcing students and faculty to shelter in place.
Among them was sophomore Paula Maldonado, who recounted the harrowing experience to ABC News.
“As soon as the alert went off, we turned off the lights and barricaded the door with desks,” she said. Huddled at the front of the classroom, her classmates whispered directions and comforted one another in the tense moments that followed. Some students cried quietly, while others offered survival tips—one even suggesting she use her backpack as a makeshift shield.
“It was really frightening when a police officer finally came into the room,” Maldonado recalled. “For a moment, I thought it was the shooter.”
After several agonizing minutes, officers returned and instructed the students to evacuate with their hands raised.
FSU President Richard McCullough addressed the university community in the wake of the tragedy, calling it “a tragic and senseless act of violence at the heart of our campus.”
“Our focus right now is on supporting the victims, their families, and the broader FSU family,” McCullough said. “That includes the students, faculty, and staff who were in the area and are now trying to process what they endured—and everyone on campus who feels anxious or overwhelmed.”
According to an update from FSU Alerts, the families of the victims have been notified. The university also announced that students who had to leave behind personal belongings during the lockdown will be given opportunities to retrieve them.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a video statement on X (formerly Twitter), offering his condolences alongside First Lady Casey DeSantis.
“We’re mourning the two individuals who lost their lives in this tragic attack, and we’re hoping for a full recovery for those hospitalized,” DeSantis said. “This killer must—and will—be brought to justice to the fullest extent of the law.”
He also praised the swift response of law enforcement, stating, “They ran toward the danger, they stopped this killer from inflicting further harm, and without a doubt, they saved lives.”
“It’s Not Fair”: Family Mourns Teen Girl Killed in Antioch High School Shooting
Another American school community is in mourning after a tragic act of violence claimed the life of a student inside the cafeteria of Antioch High School in Tennessee. The Metro Nashville Police Department has identified the victim as 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante, a bright, beloved student who was shot and killed on January 22, 2025.
Josselin, described by her family as gentle, studious, and full of promise, was eating lunch when gunfire erupted. Two other students were also injured. A male student sustained a graze wound to his arm and was treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Her father, German Corea, is heartbroken. “Every day I told her how much I loved her,” he said, his voice heavy with grief. “She was my little girl. My sweet, lovely daughter… she was never supposed to leave home like this. It’s not fair.”
Josselin, an older sister and soccer player, was known for her academic excellence and calm demeanor. Her aunt, Maria Corea, echoed those sentiments. “She was a really well-behaved and serene girl. She just wanted an education and a future. She loved her family so deeply.”
The family is now calling on Antioch High School to take immediate action to improve safety and prevent future tragedies. But with each passing school shooting that follows a disturbingly similar pattern, they admit their hope for real change is faint. “We sent her to school to build a future,” Maria said. “Not to die.”
That same evening, hundreds gathered in a candlelit vigil on campus to remember Josselin’s life—her smile, her spirit, her dreams. Friends, teachers, and loved ones stood in silence, mourning what was lost.
Police have identified the shooter as 17-year-old Solomon Henderson, a student at the school. He fatally shot himself after opening fire. The two school resource officers assigned to Antioch High were in another part of the building when the attack began. They responded immediately upon hearing gunfire but arrived moments after Henderson had turned the weapon on himself.
Investigators are now combing through Henderson’s social media accounts and online activity in hopes of understanding what led to the attack. As the community tries to make sense of the senseless, another family is left shattered, and another name is added to the ever-growing list of young lives cut short in American schools.
Authorities Seek Answers as Antioch High School Community Grieves Tragic Shooting
In the days following the devastating school shooting that claimed the life of 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante, authorities are working closely with state, local, and federal officials to determine what led a 17-year-old student to open fire in Antioch High School’s cafeteria.
The Metro Nashville Police Department says the investigation remains ongoing, and so far, no clear connection has been established between the gunman, identified as Solomon Henderson, and his victims. “His random gunfire in the cafeteria may have hit them,” the department said in a statement.
Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake addressed the grief-stricken community directly: “On behalf of this entire police department, I extend our deep condolences to Antioch High students, parents, and staff. In the coming days and weeks, our officers and counselors will endeavor to contribute to the healing process.”
Henderson, who took his own life shortly after the attack, left behind few clues as to his motive. Investigators are currently reviewing his social media activity and online presence, hoping to piece together a fuller picture of his state of mind.
In response to the tragedy, Dr. Adrienne Battle, director of Metro Nashville Public Schools, announced that Antioch High School will remain closed for the rest of the week to allow students and staff time to grieve. “I want to thank the school staff who quickly and heroically followed emergency protocols, potentially preventing further harm,” Battle said. “And I am deeply grateful to the Metro Nashville Police Department and Nashville Fire Department for their swift and urgent response.”
Battle emphasized the importance of preserving the sanctity of schools as spaces for learning and community. “It’s crucial to remember that our schools have long been safe spaces for education, camaraderie, and growth,” she said. “This tragedy must not overshadow the good experiences of our 80,000 students.”
As vigils continue and families cling to one another in sorrow, the city of Nashville—like so many before it—is left to reckon with the aftermath of yet another senseless act of school violence. For Josselin’s family, the grief is overwhelming. For her peers, it’s a scar that will linger far beyond the news cycle.
Authorities Seek Answers as Antioch High School Community Grieves Tragic Shooting
In the days following the devastating school shooting that claimed the life of 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante, authorities are working closely with state, local, and federal officials to determine what led a 17-year-old student to open fire in Antioch High School’s cafeteria.
The Metro Nashville Police Department says the investigation remains ongoing, and so far, no clear connection has been established between the gunman, identified as Solomon Henderson, and his victims. “His random gunfire in the cafeteria may have hit them,” the department said in a statement.
Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake addressed the grief-stricken community directly: “On behalf of this entire police department, I extend our deep condolences to Antioch High students, parents, and staff. In the coming days and weeks, our officers and counselors will endeavor to contribute to the healing process.”
Henderson, who took his own life shortly after the attack, left behind few clues as to his motive. Investigators are currently reviewing his social media activity and online presence, hoping to piece together a fuller picture of his state of mind.
In response to the tragedy, Dr. Adrienne Battle, director of Metro Nashville Public Schools, announced that Antioch High School will remain closed for the rest of the week to allow students and staff time to grieve. She praised the swift actions of school staff and emergency responders, crediting their heroism for preventing further harm.
Battle assured the community that all necessary resources would be made available to help staff and students navigate their grief. “Our staff and students will receive all the assistance they require to cope with this tragedy, including bereavement support,” she said.
She also issued a call for unity: “In order to face the days and weeks ahead together, I’m calling on our Nashville community, faculty, staff, and counselors to unite in support. It’s crucial to remember that our schools have long been safe spaces for education, camaraderie, and growth. This tragedy must not overshadow the good experiences of our 80,000 students.”
As vigils continue and families cling to one another in sorrow, the city of Nashville—like so many before it—is left to reckon with the aftermath of yet another senseless act of school violence. For Josselin’s family, the grief is overwhelming. For her peers, it’s a scar that will linger far beyond the news cycle.
