A tragic shooting unfolded at Florida State University on April 17, 2025, claiming the lives of two respected men and injuring six others. The victims, Robert Morales and Tiru Chabba, were fathers with deep connections to their communities and the campus. Morales, a beloved dining coordinator and FSU alumnus, was known for bringing the flavors of Cuban cuisine to students and staff,
while Chabba, a regional VP for Aramark, had served in collegiate hospitality for over 20 years. Both were on campus fulfilling their professional roles when their lives were cut short. The incident left the university in mourning and sparked tributes from colleagues, friends, and family. Morales had planned to meet a friend at the Student Union that day—a routine Thursday meetup that never happened, setting off a heartbreaking chain of events…
The gunman, identified as 20-year-old FSU student Phoenix Ikner, was swiftly taken into custody after the shooting erupted near the Student Union. Ikner, who had longstanding ties to local law enforcement through his mother—a sheriff’s deputy—used her former service weapon to carry out the attack. The motive remains unknown,
but the suspect’s background and access to firearms have raised urgent questions. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and bravery as students fled gunfire, while chilling moments—like someone recording the aftermath while sipping Starbucks—sparked outrage online. As the investigation continues, Florida reels from its sixth mass shooting this year, leaving a campus and a country again shaken by senseless violence.