Phoenix Ikner, 20, is accused of killing two people and injuring six others in a mass shooting on campus at Florida State University in Tallahassee on April 17, 2025. In a conference on Wednesday, Second Judicial Circuit Judge Lance Neff set a trial date with jury selection to begin the week of November 3, 2025.
Murder Charges
Ikner, the stepson of Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy Jessica Ikner, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted first-degree murder. Investigators allege he used his stepmother’s service weapon to carry out the FSU mass shooting. Sheriff Walter McNeil said they found a handgun and shotgun in Ikner’s possession at the scene.
McNeil said it was not a surprise that Ikner had access to weapons, considering his stepmother was a valued member of the force for 18 years. However, it was probably more surprising that he carried out a shooting since he was a “long-standing member” of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office’s Youth Advisory Council.
Custody Battle
Ikner was young when he was in the midst of an international custody battle. The sheriff’s affidavit said Ikner has “several health and mental issues, to include a growth hormone disorder and ADHD.” It is believed that his health issues stem from the intense custody battle between his father and biological mother, Anne-Mari Eriksen.
Eriksen violated the custody order when she took Irkin to Norway in 2015. The probable cause affidavit from her case states, “Instead of staying in South Florida, the defendant allegedly fled the country with him in violation of their custody agreement.” It added, “Mr. Ikner advised that Christian has developmental delays and has special needs which he feared would not be taken care of without access to his doctors here in the United States.”
Judge Schedules Trial
Ikner’s public defender, Peter Mills, admitted he needs more time to examine the evidence in the case, including video surveillance footage and witness testimony. During the trial scheduling, Mills objected to the judge’s timeline. “I am still investigating the case. My client’s entitled to effective assistance of counsel,” he said.
Judge Neff did not dismiss Mills’ concerns, but rather insinuated that they could discuss them and determine what he needed to investigate the case. The prosecution believes they are in a stronger position with the evidence in the case, and Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney Jack Campbell said, “We’ll be ready.”
Thus far, the defense has not participated in the process of exchanging evidence and witness information between parties, also known as discovery. Ikner’s attorney told the judge that it will change soon once he gets his footing. He said he will be filing a motion for discovery within the next week, and if so, it could delay the trial.
What is to Come
Prosecutors admit they intend to seek the death penalty in Phoenix Ikner’s case. After Florida amended their law regarding the death penalty in 2023, a unanimous jury is not required. If convicted of the first-degree murder charges, and 8 out of 12 jurors vote in favor of a death sentence, Ikner could join the other hundreds of inmates on death row.
Ikner’s trial is scheduled to begin with jury selection at the beginning of November. Judge Neff said in court Wednesday, “I see no reason to not set this for trial on the week of November 3rd.” Although Ikner did not appear at his conference this week, another one will take place on August 13 and will be held once a month until his trial. He is not required to attend since his attorney is present, but it could set a precedent.
