President Donald Trump labeled the shooting at Florida State University, which resulted in two fatalities and a minimum of five injuries, “a shame,” yet indicated he wasn’t inclined to push for changes in the country’s firearm regulations.

When pressed by journalists on whether he intended to pursue tighter gun control following the incident, he replied, “The gun doesn’t do the shooting, the people do.” He added: “I have an obligation to protect the Second Amendment.”

Authorities report two individuals perished and six suffered injuries on the campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee. Law enforcement confirmed that the suspected shooter – 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner – was apprehended subsequent to being wounded by police.

The mayhem broke out near the student union at about 11:50 a.m, where FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbower announced that the university police promptly intervened, taking down and detaining the gunman.

Chief Trumbower pointed out that those who lost their lives were visitors, rather than part of the student body. While five sustained gunshot wounds, six in total landed in hospital care — police are yet to confirm if this includes the perpetrator, though it was mentioned that he received treatment.

The armed individual has been identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner by Sheriff Walter McNeil of Leon County. Ikner is the offspring of a local sheriff’s deputy.

Sheriff McNeil disclosed that the suspect could get hold of the weapons given his mother’s role in law enforcement. The handgun discovered on Ikner post-capture was, in fact, his mother’s decommissioned service firearm, as per Chief Revell’s briefing.

CNN was told by an enforcement insider that a shotgun was located inside the student union, and additional weaponry was found in Ikner’s vehicle.

Traditionally, Trump has resisted endorsing additional gun control measures. In early February, he enacted an executive order prompting Attorney General Pam Bondi to assess the feasibility of revoking several gun regulations instituted during the Biden administration, targeting specifically more stringent policies for gun traders.

In his first term as President, Trump did impose restrictions on “bump stocks” – gadgets that enhance the firing speed of firearms – post the tragic mass shooting event in Las Vegas; however, the Supreme Court nullified this regulation last year.

At one point during his presidency, Trump seemed amenable to broadening background checks for those acquiring guns but appeared to retract his stance after engaging with then-chief executive of the National Rifle Association, Wayne LaPierre, at the White House.

On the campaign trail, Trump declared to his supporters in October 2024 that the Second Amendment “is under siege,” while he boasted about backing from the NRA.