State attorney plans to seek death penalty for suspected FSU campus shooter
A grand jury indicted Phoenix Ikner, 20, on multiple murder charges Wednesday, writing that “all evidence suggests he merely wanted to kill as many people as possible”
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - State Attorney Jack Campbell plans to seek the death penalty for the suspected Florida State University campus shooter.
In an interview with WCTV late Thursday morning, Campbell said he plans to file the proper paperwork to seek the death penalty for 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner in the coming days.
The news comes a day after a grand jury indicted Ikner on multiple murder charges. He was indicted Wednesday on two first-degree murder charges and seven counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.
If convicted, he could face the death penalty or life in prison.
Wednesday evening, State Attorney Campbell released a so-called true bill presentment produced by the grand jury. The document outlines the evidence reviewed by the grand jury and explains their decision to indict Ikner.
The grand jury called the shooting on April 17 “our community’s worst nightmare.”
Multiple killed, injured after shooting at Florida State University:
The court papers went on to say that Ikner had “no history of mental health or behavioral referrals indicating him as a threat” at Tallahassee State College or Leon County Schools. The same conclusion was drawn after a “review of his one semester at Florida State University.”
Earlier this week, the 20-year-old made his first court appearance, where he was denied bond and ordered no contact with victims or witnesses.
Ikner is accused of opening fire on FSU’s campus near the Student Union last month, claiming two lives and injuring six others, including himself.
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