At least six people were injured in a shooting at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee on Thursday, one critically, prompting a full campus lockdown and a major police response.
The first alert from FSU was issued at 12:01 p.m., warning of an active shooter near the Student Union. Students and faculty were immediately instructed to shelter in place as law enforcement officers responded to the scene.
By 1:04 p.m., a follow-up alert urged everyone to remain in lockdown while officers conducted room-by-room searches across the main campus. The alert advised students and staff to only open doors if law enforcement used the designated safe word “SEMINOLE” to verify their identity.
Tallahassee Police Department spokesperson Alicia Turner confirmed that a male suspect was taken into custody. She also stated that there were “multiple injuries,” though she did not immediately provide an exact number or comment on widespread social media speculation about the possibility of more than one shooter. Later reports confirmed that at least six individuals had been injured, with one person in critical condition.
First responders are on site at FSU pic.twitter.com/ej4nbHMAg4
— Barstool FSU (@FSU_Barstool) April 17, 2025
A significant police presence surrounded the FSU campus