Trial date for FSU mass shooting suspect postponed to March 2026.

The trial of Phoenix Ikner, the 21-year-old accused of a mass shooting that resulted in the deaths of two individuals at Florida State University (FSU) earlier this year, has been rescheduled to March 30, 2026. Ikner faces two counts of first-degree murder along with seven counts of attempted first-degree murder stemming from the incident that occurred on April 17, 2025, near the university’s student union during the lunch hour.

Originally set to begin on November 3, 2025, the trial was postponed by Circuit Judge Lance Neff due to a conflict of interest involving Ikner’s previous court-appointed public defender. This development necessitated the appointment of new legal representation for Ikner, leading to the involvement of the Office of Regional Civil and Criminal Conflict Counsel, which was designated to oversee his case. The adjustment was confirmed in a case management hearing held on September 2, during which the new attorneys, Blake Johnson and Sarah Morris, were given additional time to prepare for the proceedings.

The conflict of interest was initially raised by Assistant Public Defender Peter Mills, who sought to withdraw from the case after expressing concerns about being able to provide effective legal counsel. During a previous case management conference held on July 16, Mills had noted that he was still gathering information pertinent to the case and believed that his client deserved competent legal representation.

Ikner was formally charged on May 12, 2025, shortly after being released from a hospital where he underwent multiple surgeries due to injuries sustained during the shooting. The assault claimed the lives of 57-year-old Robert Morales, an employee at the university’s dining services, and 45-year-old Tiru Chabba, a vendor for the university and a father of two from South Carolina. Additionally, several others were injured in the incident, with reports indicating five victims were shot, while another person was hurt as they attempted to flee the scene.

Investigative reports suggest that during the shooting, Ikner allegedly aimed a shotgun at one of the victims, though the weapon malfunctioned, preventing further injury. As the judicial process unfolds, prosecutors have indicated their intention to seek the death penalty in this high-profile case. As of now, Ikner has pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him.

Media News Source reports that the incident, which shook the FSU community, has drawn significant media attention and will likely continue to be closely followed as legal proceedings progress.