TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – One person has reportedly been taken into custody after a shooting Thursday morning on the campus of Florida State University in Tallahasee, Florida, according to the Associated Press, citing a person familiar with the matter. Multiple people have reportedly been hurt, the AP reports.
FSU issued an active shooting alert around 12 p.m. on Thursday about a reported active shooter near the Student Union on campus.
Here is the latest news and updates on the shooting investigation from law enforcement, police, officials, and students. FOX 35 Orlando is streaming live coverage in the video player above, in the FOX Local mobile app, and in the FOX Local app in ROKU and other streaming devices.
FSU shooting: live news and updates
FSU shooting press conference scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
A press conference has tentatively been scheduled for 4:30 p.m., according to Tallahassee Police. FOX 35 live coverage continues below.
Tallahasee Memorial Hospital treating 6 people
“TMH can confirm that we have received six patients – one in critical condition and the rest in serious condition,” a spokesperson for the hospital told FOX 35 Orlando.
FSU shooting 3:30 PM update: ‘Law enforcement has neutralized the threat’
“Law enforcement has neutralized the threat. Please avoid the Student Union, Bellamy, HCB Classroom Building, Rovetta A&B, Moore Auditorium, Shaw, Pepper, Hecht House and Carraway as they are still considered an active crime scene. Individuals are free to move about other areas of campus. Individuals who may have witnessed anything of value should call 850-891-4987.”
This was posted on FSU’s Alert page.
Tallahassee Police 3PM Update:
Florida State University’s campus has been secured, according to the Tallahassee Police Department in a post on X. TPD also said a press confernece is tenatively scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
FSU cancels classes, activities through Friday, April 18
“All Florida State University classes and business operations on the main campus in Tallahassee are canceled through Friday, April 18. Essential employees should check with their supervisors for further reporting instructions. All FSU athletics events in Tallahassee are canceled through Sunday.”
“Students who need assistance can go to the Donald L. Tucker Center where the university is providing counseling, health care, and other support services. Family members are also able to go to the Tucker Center for assistance.”
“Students may return to their residence halls but they should otherwise stay indoors on the main campus to allow first responders and university staff to do their jobs and respond to those needing assistance. Students may depart campus for the weekend. All classes have been canceled through Friday.”
FSU to students: Call your loved ones to let them know that you’re OK
“Students, faculty and staff are asked to call their loved ones as soon as possible to update them on their status.”
FSU: Student Union an “active crime scene”
“The Student Union and the surrounding area is still considered an active crime scene. Individuals should avoid the area. Students should not return to the Student Union to retrieve personal property at this time.”
FSU update: Continue to shelter in place as police clear rooms
“Continue to shelter in place. Law enforcement is actively clearing rooms on the main campus. Law enforcement officers will use the safe word SEMINOLE to confirm it is safe to open the door. Continue to shelter in place until law enforcement contacts you,” FSU said.
FSU shooting: Trump speaks after active shooter reported on campus
A suspect is in custody and multiple victims have been reported following an active shooter incident on the Florida State University (FSU) campus Thursday afternoon, according to the Associated Press. The severity of the victims’ injuries was not immediately known, according to the AP, and no further information was available about the individual in custody. President Donald J. Trump briefly spoke on the incident on Thursday afternoon, saying he has been briefed on the investigation.
President Donald Trump briefed on FSU shooting
“It’s a horrible thing. Horrible that things like this take place. And we’ll have more to say about it later,” he said from the Oval Office alongside Vice President JD Vance and others.
Gov. Ron DeSantis offers prayers in wake of shooting
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis released a brief statement on X.
“Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding,” he said.
FSU Student Reunification Plan
According to the Tallahasee Police Department, a student reunification center is being established at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, an indoor arena on campus.
MAP: Florida State University Campus
More than 44,000 students attend Florida State University, according to the university’s 2024 academic numbers. The campus is located in Tallahassee.
FSU Shooting:
What we know:
Florida State University issued an emergency alert regarding an active shooter at 12:02 p.m. on X and its FSU Alert page. It said an active shooter has been reported near the Student Union and urged students to seek shelter and to shelter in place.
“An active shooter has been reported in the area of Student Union,” the university said. “Police are on scene or on the way. Continue to seek shelter and await further instructions. Lock and stay away from all doors and windows and be prepared to take additional protective measures.”
What we don’t know:
We’re still awaiting official word from Florida State University and local police regarding the shooting and shooting investigation. Officials have not yet confirmed the total number of people injured nor if anyone has been killed. Officials have also not confirmed whether a suspect has been taken into custody.
FOX 35 Orlando has a crew headed up to Tallahasee and is monitoring social media for the latest updates.
FSU student: ‘It was like a war zone’
What they’re saying:
FSU student Ryan Cedergren told FOX 35 News that he was inside the student union when he saw people start running, which prompted him to hide.
“Once we hid, it took about 15 minutes for police to come grab us,” he recalled. “Once they got to us, they asked how many people were there and guided us all out the main stairwell to the green outside. I didn’t see anything in the union, but once we got outside, we saw police everywhere and some EMS and people being treated there.”
Mike Exline, a reporter with Tallahassee-based Florida News Service, told FOX 35 that as he arrived on campus in the wake of the shooting, he was met with “more ambulances than I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“It was like a war zone around here, honestly. For a few minutes, I was trying to catch my bearings,” he continued.
Another student told WCTV at the scene that she had been in touch with friends on campus who were unhurt but unsettled. “They just said they are scared, they’re in lockdown, and they just want to go home,” the freshman said.
A video shared on X by an FSU student captures the chaos as people scrambled for cover, with loud emergency sirens blaring in the background.
What they’re saying:
Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare posted the following statement on their website following the shooting at FSU:
TMH is actively receiving and caring for patients related to an incident that has occurred at Florida State University. At this time, details are still unfolding, and we do not yet have specific information to share. However, 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.
We remain in close coordination with emergency responders and public safety officials. Out of respect for patient privacy and to ensure accurate information, we will provide updates as soon as they are available.
We ask for your patience and compassion during this difficult time.
Where is Florida State University? How many students attend FSU?
Florida State University, located at 75 North Woodward Avenue in Tallahassee, was founded in 1851, making it the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. Today, it’s home to more than 44,000 students.
2024 shooting at FSU: 3 shot inside the school’s library
Dig deeper:
This is at least the second school shooting at FSU. The first one happened in November 2014, when 31-year-old Myron May shot three people at the school’s Strozier Library. At least 400 students were there studying for midterm exams.
May, a 2005 FSU graduate and an attorney, reloaded at least once and tried to enter the library, but was blocked by lobby security barriers that permit only students and staff inside. Police responded within two minutes of the first 911 call and killed him.
One of the students who was shot by May was left paralyzed from the waist down. A library employee was shot in the leg and another student was grazed by a bullet and treated at the scene.
Police said May, who later graduated from law school at Texas Tech, thought he was being watched and targeted by the government. He also complained to police and property managers in New Mexico that cameras were watching him in his apartment and that he heard voices talking about and laughing at him, according to police reports.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Florida State University on April 17, 2025.