A new episode of gun violence shook the United States on Thursday when a shooting on the campus of Florida State University (FSU), in the city of Tallahassee, left at least six people wounded, one of them in critical condition.
The situation sparked a high alert among students, academic staff and state authorities, who are still investigating the details of the attack.
University issues “active shooter” alert
The shooting occurred shortly after noon, at 12:02 p.m. ET, when the university issued an “active shooter” alert through its official channels, asking students and employees to take shelter immediately.
Images posted on social media showed armed officers entering campus buildings in search of the attacker, while helicopters flew overhead.
What is known so far?
According to Stephanie Derzypolski, spokeswoman for Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare hospital, six people were transported to the medical center as a result of the shooting. One of the wounded is in critical condition, while the other five have serious injuries, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.
Tallahassee Police confirmed that one person has been arrested and is in custody, although they have not yet disclosed whether he is the only suspect involved or what the motive for the attack might be. Authorities continue to investigate and do not rule out further arrests.
Emergency measures and suspension of classes
FSU, one of the state’s largest public universities with more than 40,000 students, activated its emergency protocol as soon as the incident was reported.
Through text messages, emails and social networks, the institution instructed its academic community to remain in lockdown, lock doors and turn off lights.
In addition, a special code was enabled so that students who remain locked in classrooms can report to the authorities that they are safe, without exposing themselves publicly.
The situation has also impacted the region’s educational system. The Leon County School District, where the university is located, closed all schools and colleges as a precautionary measure.
Official reactions
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis posted a message on the social network X (formerly Twitter) in which he expressed that authorities are “actively responding to the situation” and offered his “prayers for the victims.”
For his part, Daniel Perez, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, called the shooting “a nightmare for any parent.”
His message reflects the community’s growing concern about the frequency of these attacks in educational institutions in the country.
Impact on the Hispanic community
🚨 #BREAKING UPDATE: At least 5 dead, 4 injured in shooting at Florida State University (FSU), per WFTV
Reports stating TWO SHOOTERS, with one in custody and the other dead.
The scene is STILL listed as an “active shooter situation.” It is unknown if there are other shooters. pic.twitter.com/QDjKZyG8IC
– Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 17, 2025
Florida is one of the states with the largest Hispanic population in the U.S., and Florida State University has a growing Latino community, both among students and faculty. These types of events generate fear among families who have migrated in search of safety and stability, and now face the reality of mass shootings as a daily risk.
For many immigrant parents, whose children are the first to attend U.S. universities, this type of news represents a distressing alert. That is why it is critical to stay informed about safety protocols and maintain open channels of communication with schools and universities.
What to do in case of “active shooter”?
Buzzy
If you or a family member is attending college in the U.S., keep these basic recommendations in mind in case of an active shooter emergency:
Take shelter in an enclosed area, lock the door and turn off the lights.
Silence your cell phone, but keep an eye out for official alerts.
Do not leave until confirmed by the authorities.
Follow emergency instructions from campus or police.
After the event, seek psychological support if you need it.
We will continue to update you as more official details are confirmed.
For real-time updates, you can follow the official FSU and Tallahassee Police Department channels.
Our prayers are with the FSU family and the state law enforcement is actively responding
Ron DeSantis, Florida's Governor
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