Food service worker and a football coach: What we know about the victims killed at Florida State University
Two people were killed and six more were injured after a 20-year-old politics student opened fire on a Florida State University campus Thursday afternoon, prompting chaos and a lockdown.
On Friday, one of the people killed was named by relatives as a local football coach and food services worker at the college.
All of the non-fatal victims were being treated at Florida’s Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, having been rushed there in serious conditions as the attack unfolded. On Friday, Dr. Brett Howard told reporters that despite the horrific circumstances, things had gone “smoothly.”
“This is, unfortunately, a thing that we train for, although we hope it won’t occur,” he said. “But we were prepared… We do feel that all will make a full recovery.”
The suspected gunman, Phoenix Ikner, was also treated at the hospital and was later taken into custody. Police later revealed at a press conference that he was the son of a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputy.
Here’s what we know about the people gunned down in Thursday’s shooting:
Robert Morales, a father, husband and employee of FSU who worked in dining services, was one of the victims, a family member confirmed. Morales’ older sibling wrote on X that Morales “loved his job as FSU and his beautiful Wife and Daughter.”
Morales also served as an assistant coach for the Leon High School football team. The Leon High School Athletics Department also confirmed his death in a statement, saying he led the team with “dedication, integrity and a true passion for mentoring young athletes.
“His commitment to the game and to shaping the lives of his players extended far beyond the field. He was a trusted coach, a respected colleague, and a cherished friend to many,” the athletics department said.
“The loss of Coach Morales is deeply felt by all of us at Leon High School, especially during this difficult and tragic time. Our hearts are heavy, and we will join the broader Tallahassee community in mourning his passing.”
Morales was also a founding member of a well-known restaurant in Tallahassee called Gordos, the owner told a local news outlet. The owner said they were “deeply saddened” by the tragedy.
Aramark, the company that manages the dining program on campus, confirmed in a statement that one of its employees was killed in the shooting – they did not identify the employee’s name.
“We are heartbroken to confirm that an Aramark employee was among those killed at FSU yesterday in that senseless act of violence. We are absolutely shaken by the news and our deepest sympathies are with the family and our entire Aramark community,” Aramark said in a statement obtained by ClickOrlando.
Ariana Baio contributed to this report.
