Graphic Video Captures Chaos as Multiple Victims Wounded in Active Shooter Incident at Florida State University’s Student Union in Tallahassee
TALLAHASSEE, FL — The scene at Florida State University’s Student Union on Thursday morning quickly descended into horror, chaos, and confusion as reports of an active shooter brought life on campus to a sudden, terrifying halt. Within minutes, one of the most vibrant parts of the university—typically filled with students grabbing coffee, studying, and preparing for finals—became the epicenter of a developing tragedy now under investigation by local, state, and federal authorities.
As helicopters hovered overhead and armored law enforcement vehicles closed off multiple sections of the university, images and video clips began spreading rapidly across social media. One clip, in particular, depicted a wounded individual lying motionless outside the Union, with blood pooling beneath them and bystanders attempting to take cover behind stone planters. Another showed students sobbing and clutching each other beneath a stairwell, texting their families in hushed tones.
The university immediately issued a campus-wide alert. The message was stark and direct: “ACTIVE SHOOTER REPORTED. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. LOCK DOORS. AVOID WINDOWS.” That message alone triggered a wave of panic—doors were barricaded with furniture, students hid under desks, and classrooms fell silent except for the quiet clicking of locked phones and whispered prayers.
Law enforcement from multiple agencies—including the Tallahassee Police Department, FSU Police, and Leon County Sheriff’s Office—arrived quickly, setting up a perimeter and entering the building with tactical gear and drawn weapons. The situation unfolded rapidly, but for the students and faculty inside the Student Union, it felt like time stood still.
In the aftermath of the shooting, at least four people were confirmed injured and transported to local hospitals. Their names and current conditions have not yet been released. University officials declined to speculate on the number of shots fired or whether the incident was isolated to one shooter, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. One individual was seen being taken into custody at the scene—handcuffed and flanked by officers—but no charges have yet been announced, and authorities have not confirmed whether he was the perpetrator or a person of interest.
The events of the day have left the Florida State University community reeling. As ambulances sped away from the Union and officers continued their investigation, thousands of students sat huddled behind locked doors in nearby buildings, unsure of what was happening or if they were still in danger.
“I couldn’t breathe. We were sitting in the dark, not knowing if the shooter was still nearby,” said Allison Grant, a junior psychology major. “We heard shouting and running in the hallway, and we thought it was another shooter coming. Everyone was just crying.”
Another student, Marcus Beal, recounted how he and a classmate made the split-second decision to run toward a service exit. “We didn’t know if it was safe, but we had to get out. We could hear screaming. It was surreal. Like a nightmare.”
These firsthand accounts provide a chilling window into the sheer panic that gripped the campus. For faculty members and staff, the experience was just as harrowing. Professor Dana Ruiz, who teaches in a building adjacent to the Student Union, described locking herself and 12 students inside her office. “We pushed bookshelves against the door. I told everyone to turn off their phones. We didn’t know how long we’d be stuck.”
As the lockdown extended over two hours, families across Florida and beyond scrambled for information. Many parents flooded social media with pleas for updates or confirmation of their children’s safety. The university’s emergency advisory website was overwhelmed at times as traffic surged beyond capacity.
By early afternoon, FSU President Richard Gallant addressed the media, visibly shaken. He expressed solidarity with those affected and praised the “heroic and professional response” of the police, EMTs, and student services. “This is a dark day for Florida State University,” Gallant said. “We are grieving, but we are not alone. We will come together as a family to support those who were hurt and all who were traumatized.”
The Student Union, once buzzing with laughter and the energy of student life, has been cordoned off as a crime scene. Forensic units could be seen collecting shell casings and taking photos of bullet holes in the surrounding glass. Yellow police tape flapped in the wind as students looked on from a distance, their faces a mixture of sadness, disbelief, and fear.
As of this writing, authorities have not confirmed the weapon used or whether it was legally obtained. Sources close to the investigation suggest that surveillance footage from inside the Union may hold crucial details about the shooter’s movements and actions. Detectives are also combing through social media activity, eyewitness statements, and potential cellphone footage in an effort to reconstruct the minute-by-minute account of what took place.
In an email sent to all students and faculty, FSU’s crisis response team provided mental health resources and emergency counseling options. Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare confirmed that it has increased its trauma counseling staff to handle the influx of patients and emotional trauma from students and their families.
Community support has also begun pouring in. Nearby churches, synagogues, and mosques opened their doors to provide shelter, spiritual counseling, and phone charging stations. Local businesses delivered food and coffee to first responders and students still on lockdown. The mayor of Tallahassee, Elijah Monroe, called the shooting “an act of incomprehensible violence,” adding, “Our city grieves with the university tonight. We stand united in heartbreak and in the pursuit of justice.”
As the sun set over a campus cloaked in unease, students were finally allowed to leave their lockdown shelters. Many walked home quietly, escorted by officers or friends. Others lingered, staring silently at the yellow tape or leaving candles near the steps of the Union in an impromptu memorial.
This shooting comes amid rising concern about gun violence at educational institutions nationwide. According to the Gun Violence Archive, this is the 13th shooting on a college campus in 2025 alone. Calls for policy reform have resurfaced yet again—from gun control to campus security upgrades to mental health support expansion.
Advocacy groups including March For Our Lives and Students Demand Action have announced plans for a vigil on the steps of the Florida Capitol, just blocks away from FSU. “We refuse to be numb,” one student leader posted on Instagram. “We will say their names. We will demand better.”
At the time of publication, names of the injured have not been publicly released. Officials have stated they will notify families before making the names public. Channel2 NOW has chosen to withhold graphic images and any potentially identifying details out of respect for victims and their families.
Investigators are asking any witnesses with video or photo evidence to come forward. A dedicated FBI tip line has been set up to assist in collecting information. Those wishing to contribute can contact FSU Police or submit digital files via secure upload portals provided by law enforcement.
FSU has confirmed that all classes are canceled for the remainder of the week. A virtual town hall is scheduled for Monday, during which university leadership will share updates, answer questions, and outline the next steps in healing and recovery.
While the investigation continues, one thing is heartbreakingly clear: the effects of today’s shooting will ripple through the FSU community for months—if not years—to come. For those who witnessed the violence, for the families of the injured, and for the students who now carry a sense of fear where there was once youthful confidence, this day will never be forgotten.
As details continue to emerge, Channel2 NOW will remain committed to reporting with clarity, accuracy, and empathy. We will continue updating this story as soon as new, verified information is available.
If you or someone you know is struggling in the wake of this tragedy, please seek support from these resources:
- FSU Counseling Center: (850) 644-8255
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
- Text HOME to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor 24/7
- Leon County Crisis Hotline: 2-1-1
