Donald Trump Speaks Out Following Tragic FSU Shooting — Public Reacts Strongly

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.

Following the incident at Florida State University (FSU) on Thursday, April 17, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a brief statement from the Oval Office on Friday.

It’s a terrible situation. It’s terrible when incidents like this occur,” Trump remarked. Having been “fully briefed” on the situation, he went on to call the tragedy “a shame.”

Trump reaffirmed his long-standing stance on the Second Amendment when asked by reporters if the shooting would make him think about stricter gun laws.

“These things are awful. “But the people, not the gun, do the shooting,” he remarked, using words that are likely overused.

Trump continued, “As far as legislation is concerned, this has been going on for a long time.” It is my duty to defend the Second Amendment.

Among many other things, I ran on the Second Amendment, and I will always defend it.

The fact that he knew “the very area well” and was knowledgeable about the institution and the state of Florida was another of his remarks indicating that he was familiar with the place.

Trump’s comments sparked a flurry of internet comments. “Such deep and wise words from our profound leader,” wrote one netizen.

Some were more critical. “I’m surprised they were able to pin him down for a comment between rounds of golf 🙄,” one wrote.

“He doesn’t know the words,” said another user, “since he never had empathy or sympathy for anyone. He is just empathetic and sympathetic to himself.

One message said, “We must not undervalue the consequences of the current shooting, which is incredibly tragic. My sympathies and best wishes are with all those impacted by this tragedy.

There were more responses. One user said, “His lack and compassion is deafening,” while another begged, “Trump, try using your big boy words.” One added cynically, “So articulate.”

“1st grader talk?” another person asked plainly. “This is the first time he has acknowledged a school shooting this year,” one person wrote. What do we not yet know, I wonder?

The fatal incident that stunned the FSU community was followed by the president’s statement and the responses of online users. The Miami Herald reports that six individuals were hurt and two people were killed in the shooting.

Phoenix Ikner, 20, the suspect, is a student at FSU and the son of a Leon County Sheriff’s deputy.

He used a weapon that had previously belonged to his mother, who had lawfully bought it for herself. Responding officers took Ikner into custody after shooting him.

The assault happened close to the university’s student union at around midday. The two individuals deceased were not enrolled at FSU, according to police later confirmation.

The hospital received the six other injured people. There is still no known motive.

According to Leon County Sheriff Walter McNeil, the department knew the suspect personally, but investigators are still trying to put together what caused the attack.

Ikner had taken part in numerous of the sheriff’s training programs and was active in the Youth Advisory Council.

“He has been steep in the Leon County Sheriff’s family, engaged in a number of training programs that we have … so it’s not a surprise to us that he had access to weapons,” McNeil said during the press conference.

A complete lockdown was implemented on campus as a result of the terror sparked by the gunshot. Paula Maldonado, a sophomore, was one of them and told ABC News about the mayhem.

She claimed that her class promptly shut off the lights and barricaded the door with desks as soon as the active threat alert went off.

At the front of the room, her students huddled close to one another, whispering directions and quietly consoling one another. While some students started crying,

others offered safety advice. One student suggested that she shield herself by holding her rucksack in front of her body.

Maldonado remembered, “It was really frightening when a police officer entered the room and I thought it was the shooter.

” Officers reappeared after a few anxious minutes and told the pupils to leave the classroom with their hands up.

Addressing the college community following the incident, FSU President Richard McCullough described it as a “tragic and senseless act of violence at the heart of our campus.” He stated that helping victims, their families, and the larger community was the university’s top priority right now.

It refers to the pupils, teachers, and staff who were in the vicinity and are currently attempting to understand what they went through.

Additionally, it refers to everyone on campus who is experiencing anxiety or overwhelm,” McCullough stated.

According to an update from FSU Alerts, the families of the victims have been informed, ABC News said. Additionally, the institution declared that students who lost their possessions during the lockdown will be given a chance to get them back.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis responded to the incident in a video that was uploaded on X after the university provided an update.

He expressed support and condolences, as did his wife, Casey. “We’re mourning the two individuals who lost their lives in this tragic attack, and we wish well those who are currently recovering in the hospital,” he said.

As he stressed responsibility, DeSantis said, “This killer must and will be brought to justice to the fullest extent of the law.” Additionally, he commended law enforcement for their prompt action, saying, “They ran towards the danger, they stopped this killer from inflicting more harm, and there is no question that they saved lives.”

Another school massacre, this time in Tennessee, has left yet another family in mourning as communities struggle with campus violence.

The 16-year-old girl who died on January 22, 2025, at Antioch High School has been identified by the Metro Nashville Police Department.

Josselin Corea Escalante has been identified as the victim who was fatally injured at the school cafeteria. She and two other pupils were shot.

One of the two is a male student who was treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center after suffering a graze to his arm.

German Corea, Escalante’s father, is devastated by his daughter’s passing. “Every day I told her how much I loved her,” he stated.

Despite being an elder sister, Escalante was still considered a daddy’s girl by his father. According to Corea, his daughter excelled academically and played soccer.

He said he never imagined his sweet and lovely daughter would never return home. The words “It’s not fair,” he lamented.

Escalante’s aunt, Maria Corea, is devastated by her death and remarks that she was sent to school in order to receive an education and a brighter future, but her life ended tragically. “My God. My girl was her. She was a really well-behaved and serene girl.

She did well academically. She revealed that she was a young girl who cherished her parents and her entire family.

Escalante’s family has asked the school to make security improvements. Given that every school massacre has a similar backstory, they are not optimistic that anything will change.

On the evening of January 22, Antioch High School held a vigil in Escalante’s honor.

The shooter, who was 17 years old, was enrolled in Antioch High School. He killed himself by shooting himself in the head.

He has been identified by the police as Solomon Henderson. When Henderson began shooting, the two school resource officers assigned to Antioch High School were in a separate area of the structure.

They hurried to the cafeteria as soon as they heard the shots, arriving shortly after Henderson had committed suicide. Authorities are currently looking into social media posts and web articles connected to Henderson.

In order to ascertain the reason behind the shooting in the school cafeteria, they are also collaborating with state, municipal, and federal officials.

Police are still investigating the incident, but they have not yet discovered any link between the unfortunate occurrence’s victims and the gunman.

“His random gunfire in the cafeteria may have hit them,” the Metro Nashville Police Department stated.

“On behalf of this entire police department, I extend our deep condolences to Antioch High students, parents, and staff,” said Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake.

In the coming days and weeks, our officers and counselors will endeavor to contribute to the healing process.”

The entire Antioch High School community, along with the students and parents, have expressed their condolences to Dr. Adrienne Battle, the director of Metro Nashville Public Schools.

In order to give staff and students time to grieve, Battle said that the school would be closed for the remainder of the week.

She said in a statement, “I want to thank the school staff who quickly and heroically followed emergency protocols, potentially preventing further harm, as well as the Metro Nashville Police Department and Nashville Fire Department for their swift and urgent response.”

Battle pledged that she was dedicated to learning the how and why of this tragedy in order to stop it from happening again.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that our schools have long been secure spaces for education, camaraderie, and development,” she continued.

The good experiences of our 80,000 students must be overshadowed by this tragedy.”

Battle said that the staff and students will receive all the assistance they require to cope with this tragedy, including bereavement support.

In order to face the days and weeks ahead together, she called on the Nashville community, faculty, staff, and counselors to unite.