Newly released video shows the terror and chaos that unfolded at Florida State University when an armed man ran through campus shooting people.The disturbing footage was released Thursday afternoon, nearly one year after police say Phoenix Ikner opened fire around noon on April 17, 2025, killing two people and wounding six others.The video captures moments before panic erupted at the student union, with students suddenly leaping to their feet and sprinting out of a dining hall. Some fell as they tried to escape, appearing not to know where to run.Just seconds behind them, surveillance video shows the suspect chasing students with his gun raised.Several cameras captured what investigators say was a deadly path through multiple rooms and buildings. In one clip, a young woman is seen only steps ahead of Ikner as he rounds a corner and chases her out a door.Not everyone got away.Police say Ikner shot and killed dining coordinator Robert Morales in the food court. He is also charged with killing food vendor Tiru Chabba outside on the lawn, where video appears to show Chabba being shot twice.Authorities say Ikner also fired at a group of students while running back toward the bookstore, hitting three who survived.Police rushed onto campus almost immediately and began searching for the suspect. Investigators say a motorcycle officer confronted Ikner, shot him in the jaw, and took him into custody.As Terri Parker first reported Tuesday, an attorney for one of the victims claims Ikner was in contact with ChatGPT before the shooting, asking questions related to mass shootings.Court records say Ikner was using ChatGPT extensively before and right up until the rampage.Based on that evidence, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has now announced an immediate investigation into OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT. He is also calling on lawmakers to put protections in place for children and teens exposed to AI.“We support innovation, but that doesn’t give any company the right to endanger our children, facilitate criminal activity and power America’s enemies, or threaten our national security,” Uthmeier said. “Companies that do so will be held accountable to the fullest extent.”Uthmeier also says ChatGPT has been linked to other troubling cases involving alleged encouragement of suicide and self-harm.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —
Newly released video shows the terror and chaos that unfolded at Florida State University when an armed man ran through campus shooting people.
The disturbing footage was released Thursday afternoon, nearly one year after police say Phoenix Ikner opened fire around noon on April 17, 2025, killing two people and wounding six others.
The video captures moments before panic erupted at the student union, with students suddenly leaping to their feet and sprinting out of a dining hall. Some fell as they tried to escape, appearing not to know where to run.
Just seconds behind them, surveillance video shows the suspect chasing students with his gun raised.
Several cameras captured what investigators say was a deadly path through multiple rooms and buildings. In one clip, a young woman is seen only steps ahead of Ikner as he rounds a corner and chases her out a door.
Not everyone got away.
Police say Ikner shot and killed dining coordinator Robert Morales in the food court. He is also charged with killing food vendor Tiru Chabba outside on the lawn, where video appears to show Chabba being shot twice.
Authorities say Ikner also fired at a group of students while running back toward the bookstore, hitting three who survived.
Police rushed onto campus almost immediately and began searching for the suspect. Investigators say a motorcycle officer confronted Ikner, shot him in the jaw, and took him into custody.
As Terri Parker first reported Tuesday, an attorney for one of the victims claims Ikner was in contact with ChatGPT before the shooting, asking questions related to mass shootings.
Court records say Ikner was using ChatGPT extensively before and right up until the rampage.
Based on that evidence, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has now announced an immediate investigation into OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT. He is also calling on lawmakers to put protections in place for children and teens exposed to AI.
“We support innovation, but that doesn’t give any company the right to endanger our children, facilitate criminal activity and power America’s enemies, or threaten our national security,” Uthmeier said. “Companies that do so will be held accountable to the fullest extent.”
Uthmeier also says ChatGPT has been linked to other troubling cases involving alleged encouragement of suicide and self-harm.