FSU student survives shooting after losing sister in Parkland: ‘Something has to change’

The recent tragic shooting at Florida State University has left the campus community reeling, especially for student Robbie Alhadeff. This heartbreaking incident brought back painful memories for Alhadeff, whose sister Alyssa was a victim of the 2018 Parkland high school massacre.

Alyssa, just 14 years old at the time of her death, was a promising freshman with dreams of playing college soccer. Alhadeff shared with ABC News Live how close he was to his sister and the devastating impact her loss had on him.

When news of the shooting near the student union reached Alhadeff, he was struck with fear and immediately sought shelter in his apartment. The trauma of losing his sister had already caused him to take a break from school, and the recent tragedy has only heightened the anxiety among his friends who are now fearful of returning to campus.

Many of Alhadeff’s peers at FSU are also survivors of the Parkland shooting, adding an extra layer of trauma to an already devastating situation. The fear of violence on campus has left students feeling unsafe and unsure about their future.

Manuel Oliver, who lost his son Joaquin in the Parkland shooting, expressed frustration at the lack of action to prevent such tragedies. He emphasized the need for stronger gun control measures and urged people to get involved in advocating for safer communities.

Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime was also a victim in Parkland, shared similar sentiments, expressing disappointment in the continued failure to address gun violence effectively. He highlighted the importance of prioritizing the safety of children and taking concrete steps to prevent future tragedies.

As investigations into the FSU shooting continue, details about the suspect, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, have emerged. While Ikner is expected to survive after being shot by officers, his motive remains unknown. Fortunately, the six injured victims are expected to recover, although the identities of the two individuals killed have not been released.

In response to the tragedy, FSU has canceled classes and events for the weekend and will hold a vigil to honor the victims. The community is coming together to mourn, support one another, and demand change to prevent such senseless violence from happening again.