Florida State University descended into chaos Thursday afternoon when an active shooter opened fire near the Student Union, leaving at least six people injured, one of them critically.
The incident prompted an immediate lockdown across the Tallahassee campus and a massive response by local and state law enforcement.
All six victims are being treated, according to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, with five listed in serious condition. Hospital officials say the patients were transported from the Florida State University campus, where emergency crews rushed to the scene after multiple 911 calls came in about gunfire.
The police have confirmed one suspect in custody, though details about their identity or motive remain unclear. According to law enforcement officials, the area is now secure, but investigations are ongoing, and portions of the campus remain under lockdown.
“I’m shaking,” said 21-year-old Emily Palmer, a student at FSU who was near the scene. “I have friends in class who were evacuated with their hands up.”
The panic was captured with footage and eyewitness accounts, including students running from buildings and police escorting them out, hands up. One of the students present, Joshua Sirmans, recounted being in the university library when alarms blared out, warning of an active shooter on campus. “Officers came and told us to get out with our hands up,” he said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took to X, formerly Twitter, to say, “Our prayers are with our FSU family,” and confirm that state law enforcement was actively involved in the response.
The FSU Alert system issued several warnings asking students and faculty to shelter in place. “An active shooter has been reported in the area of Student Union. Police are on scene or on the way. Lock and stay away from all doors and windows,” one alert read.
Authorities have not confirmed at this time if the shooting was a targeted incident or a random one. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is assisting in the investigation.
Thursday’s shooting marks yet another tragic instance of campus violence that reignites concerns about school safety and emergency preparedness. The university community continues to be on edge, waiting for more answers, as one victim fights for their life.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates as more information becomes available.
- Dolly’s Locations in Cincinnati and Dayton Closing Early Ahead of Final Day - October 24, 2025
- National Guard Deployment to San Francisco Put on Hold After Trump Talks With Tech Leaders - October 24, 2025
- Mayor Eric Adams Backs Andrew Cuomo to Halt Zohran Mamdani’s Rise in NYC Race - October 24, 2025
