Roberto Morales, a Cuban-American originally from Miami-Dade and an employee at Florida State University (FSU), has been identified as one of the fatalities in the tragic shooting that occurred this Thursday at FSU. This information was confirmed by acquaintances close to his family.
The news was first reported by Telemundo 51, which obtained details from those close to Morales. According to his LinkedIn profile, Morales had been with FSU's dining services since 2015. He was also renowned as one of the founders of the popular Tallahassee restaurant, Gordos Cuban Cuisine.
Ricardo Morales Jr., his brother, expressed his sorrow publicly on social media platform X, sharing family photos and a heartfelt message: “Today we lost my younger brother. He was one of the victims at FSU. He loved his job at FSU and his beautiful wife and daughter. I’m grateful you were in my life,” he wrote.
According to the TV source, Morales graduated from Hialeah Senior High School and attended FSU, where he served as the director of dining services on campus.
Official reports state that the shooting resulted in two deaths and at least six injuries after a student opened fire with a gun registered to his mother, a Leon County sheriff's deputy. The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, was apprehended by police and is currently hospitalized with an injury, although his health status remains unclear.
The incident prompted an emergency lockdown at the university, home to nearly 40,000 students, who were instructed to shelter in place for about three hours while authorities secured the area.
FSU President Richard McCullough released a statement expressing the collective sorrow of the academic community: “We join in mourning with the families, friends, and loved ones of those who lost their lives. We stand with the injured and all those who are suffering.”
This tragedy has reignited discussions about gun violence on American college campuses, highlighting the ease with which firearms can end up in the hands of young individuals, even when legally registered by family members associated with law enforcement.
U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the FSU shooting as “a disgrace” and “a horrible thing” during a joint press conference in the Oval Office with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following inquiries from reporters about the incident.
Impact of Gun Violence on College Campuses
Who was involved in the FSU shooting?
The shooting involved a student named Phoenix Ikner, who opened fire at Florida State University, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, including Roberto Morales, a Cuban-American employee at the university.
How did the university respond to the shooting?
FSU implemented an emergency lockdown, instructing its approximately 40,000 students to shelter in place for roughly three hours as authorities secured the campus.
What has been the reaction to the shooting?
The shooting has sparked renewed debate over gun violence on college campuses and the accessibility of firearms, especially those registered to law enforcement family members. President Trump called the incident “a disgrace” during a press conference.