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Florida State University shooting: Here's what we know about victims, suspect Sunday

Phoenix Ikner, the stepson of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy, is the suspected shooter in an attack at Florida State University on Thursday, April 17, that killed two and injured six.

The shooting claimed the lives of Robert Morales, an FSU employee and high school football coach, and Tiru Chabba, 45, a married father of two from South Carolina, who was at FSU on a work-related visit.

Three victims improved to "good" condition, and one remained in "fair" condition Friday, according to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Stephanie Derzypolski.

One of the victims, Madison Askins, 23, told CBS Evening News in an interview from her hospital bed that she "played dead" to avoid being shot again by Ikner.

A vigil held on campus Friday afternoon drew thousands to honor the victims.

Here's what we know about the shooting as of Sunday, April 20.

Florida legislators pass bill that could reshape how universities select their leadership

The House voted 104-8 to pass the bill (HB 1321), which would repeal a 2022 law that provided exemptions to public-records and public-meetings laws for presidential searches. It also includes ending the state university system Board of Governors’ role in confirming presidential selections made by university boards of trustees and trying to limit the influence of the governor and other officials on presidential selections.

“We have a fantastic education system,” bill sponsor Michelle Salzman, R-Pensacola, said. “This is not about what we have. This is about showing the voters what we’re doing. This is about transparency in government.”

But DeSantis, during an appearance Tuesday in Pensacola, blasted the proposed changes and raised the specter of a veto if the bill passes. He said he needs to have authority to make sure universities “don’t run off the rails.”

“It removes the ability of us to ensure that we’re holding universities accountable,” he said.

Salzman said the bill is not an attack on DeSantis. But it came amid clashes between the House and DeSantis on a series of issues — and after former lawmakers in recent years have been appointed to lead several colleges and universities.

Senate higher education bill still diverges from the House version

Higher education bills keep moving in the Legislature.

The Senate is advancing its own higher education bill (SB 1726). The legislation, sponsored by Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud, has two new amendments.

One of them removes the requirement for an office of public policy at universities.

The other removes the requirement for the Institute for Freedom in the Americas to partner with the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom.

Presidential searches were a topic of discussion, with Republican Sen. Blaise Ingoglia noting a key difference from the House bill just passed, which Gov. Ron DeSantis vowed to veto last week.

The House resoundingly approved HB 1321, which would publicize all presidential candidates’ identities, stop the Governor from discussing openings and lobbying for connected candidates with leadership of state colleges and universities, and let university Boards pick their Presidents rather than the Board Of Governors (BOG).

Donald Trump names Joe Gruters to Homeland Security Advisory Council

President Donald Trump has named Sen. Joe Gruters, a 2026 candidate for Chief Financial Officer, to the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC).

The Sarasota Republican will work through the Council with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to advise the federal agency. Gruters embraced the assignment.

“When President Trump asked me to run for Chief Financial Officer of Florida, I immediately said ‘yes’ knowing you never pass up an opportunity to serve the President and the great state of Florida,” Gruters said. “The same goes with this appointment. There is nothing more important than the safety and security of the American people and I accept this appointment with the gravity it deserves.”

Noem sent the formal notification to Gruters of his appointment on behalf of herself and the President. Gruters will serve as a special employee of the agency and serve for a three-year term.

“I am honored and grateful that you are willing to serve as a member of the HSAC,” Noem’s message reads.