Classes at Florida State University are set to recommence on Monday, following last week’s tragic shooting on campus which resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to six others. The university’s administration has announced that students, along with their instructors, can choose to participate in classes either remotely or in person, depending on what suits them best. Importantly, no mandatory attendance will be required, allowing students the flexibility to opt out of in-person classes without affecting their grades, as communicated by FSU President Richard McCullough in a message addressed to the university community.
Additionally, the university is offering students the option to request an incomplete grade for courses they feel unable to complete in light of recent events. McCullough emphasized the importance of providing necessary support to students, noting that for some, avoiding the classroom setting might be crucial for their well-being. Conversely, others might find comfort in the sense of community and academic focus that returning to class can offer. McCullough acknowledged that there is no universal solution, and different students will have varied needs.
The shooter, identified as the stepson of a sheriff’s deputy, arrived on campus approximately an hour before the incident. Authorities reported that he lingered around a parking garage before moving through buildings and open spaces, discharging a handgun shortly before midday. The incident was quickly brought to a halt by officers who confronted and subsequently wounded the 20-year-old shooter, Phoenix Ikner, who is also a student at Florida State.
The victims who lost their lives in the shooting have been identified as Robert Morales and Tiru Chabba. Morales served as a dining coordinator at the university, while Chabba was an executive for Aramark, a company associated with providing food services. These details have been confirmed through statements by family members and legal representatives of the victims’ families.