TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray News) – A suspect is reported to be in police custody following a shooting at Florida State University that left at least five people wounded and two dead.
The university shared an alert at 12:01 p.m. reporting an “active shooter” in the area of the Student Union.
The Associated Press reported just before 2 p.m. that the suspected gunman was taken into police custody.
The gunman is said to be 20 years old and a sheriff’s deputy’s son. Authorities also shared that a service weapon was found at the scene.
At least six victims were taken to the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, hospital officials told WCTV. Five of the victims were in serious condition and one in critical condition, per the hospital.
“TMH is actively receiving and caring for patients related to an incident that has occurred at Florida State University,” the hospital said in the statement. “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.”
A witness on the scene told WCTV they witnessed a college-aged man exit the student union with a handgun.
Students who were in the Student Union at the time of the shooting told a WCTV reporter they heard about 15 to 20 gunshots. The students said they then fled the scene and took shelter in a church across the street.
Officers with the university police and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are on scene. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that FBI agents were also present.
For hours, the university advised those on campus to seek shelter and await further instructions, per the alert. At about 2 p.m., university buses filled with students were seen leaving campus.
Those who are not already on the main campus are advised to avoid coming to campus at this time.
All classes and university events scheduled for Thursday are canceled, according to the university. All home athletic events have been canceled through Sunday.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis shared to X, formerly known as Twitter, “Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding.”
President Donald Trump was briefed on the shooting and also commented on it during a press conference.
“It’s a shame. Horrible thing, horrible thing,” Trump said. “Things like this take place. And we will have more to say about it later.”
Gabriel Santoro, a senior at Florida State, was in class when all at once, it became clear something was very wrong.
As his classmate presented a research paper, another student interrupted, saying people outside were running. Then, they got a text. It was the university’s emergency alert.
“We kind of all realized something was going on,” he said. “We got the desks and started piling them against the door.”
Chris Pento, who was in Tallahassee with his twin daughters for a campus tour, said they were looking at a menu on campus when shots rang out.
I couldn’t believe it. Shots fired. It was surreal. People just started running. She got trampled over,” Pento said.
He said they tried to hide in rooms off a long hallway but all the doors were locked.
That’s when the father said about 50 people ran into a service elevator and when the doors opened, there were two officers with guns drawn who helped them get out.
“I just hope everyone is OK. I’m praying for those people who are injured and I just hope we can do better in the future,” one student told a WCTV reporter.
Leon County Schools near the area are under a lockout, according to the school district’s spokesperson, Chris Petley. He did not specify which schools are under the lockout. In an update, the school district said their high schools still plan to dismiss at 1:50 p.m.
This is a developing story. WCTV has a crew at Florida State University and will provide new details when they are available.
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