(News Nation) – The gunman, accused of killing two people and injuring six at Florida State University, is said to have used his mother’s previous service weapon.
Judge Elizabeth Scheller, a former judge who presided over the 2022 Parkland High School shooting trial, told Nexstar News Nation on Thursday.
Police have identified the shooter as Phoenix Ichner, 20, the son of Leon County Sheriff Deputy Jessica Ichner.
“Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons, which was one of the weapons found at the scene,” Leon County Sheriff Walter McNeill said at a press conference.
The FSU shooting suspect is described as the son of a 20-year-old student, adjutant
Though not common, the parents of school shooters have been charged in the past. Most notably, Jennifer and James Scrambly killed four students and injured seven at a Michigan high school in 2021.
Scheller said the fact that Ekner is an adult could make the case different with regard to the potential liability of his parents.
“As a parent, you are responsible for your child and you are a huge responsibility to join and protect your child from their actions,” Scheller said.
Legal analyst Misty Maris agreed.
“It certainly may be a legal issue for a mother, but it’s about having adults,” Maris told News Nation. “If there’s someone who’s 15 or 16, we’ll have a different conversation.”
Police are still in the early stages of the investigation and have not stated how Ichner acquired the weapon.
Former US ex-s: FSU shooting location shows gunman’s motivation
Investigators say Ichner fired fire at the school’s student union at lunchtime, killing two men and injuring at least six people.
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Rebel said he arrived shortly after officers refused to comply with the orders and shot and killed the shooter.
Authorities have not yet revealed the motive for the shooting.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
