Jessica Ikner, the 2023 Deputy of the Year for the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, is at the center of a tragic investigation following her stepson, Phoenix Ikener, alleged shooting spree on the Florida State University campus that left six students injured and two dead. The sheriff’s office confirmed that Ikener practiced shooting with Phoenix, though not in an official capacity, raising questions about firearm access and safety training within families connected to law enforcement.
Following the incident, which involved Phoenix using his mother’s retired service weapon, the sheriff’s office reassigned Ikner to a different division and granted her personal leave. Sheriff Walt McNeil stated that an immediate suspension was not warranted and expressed that both the department and the FSU community are grappling with the fallout from the event. As authorities investigate how Phoenix gained access to the weapons, community members are rallying in support of Ikner, highlighting her dedication to the students she serves.
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