Alleged FSU Gunman Was in Prolonged Custody Dispute Before Shooting

The gunman who allegedly opened fire at Florida State University on Thursday was once at the heart of a child custody dispute.

Police said that Phoenix Ikner (20) allegedly killed at least two people and injured six others.

The suspect is Jessica Ikner’s stepson, a veteran 18-year deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.

Multiple media outlets reported on Friday that Phoenix Ikner had previously been involved in a years-long custody dispute between his biological parents. According to court documents, the dispute spanned from Florida’s panhandle to Norway.

ABC News reported that Phoenix Ikner used to be known as Christian Gunnar Eriksen when the dispute arose.

According to an affidavit of probable cause from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, viewed by The New York Post, Eriksen was then 11 years old when his biological mother took him to Norway, in violation of a custody arrangement she had made with Christopher Ikner. Christopher Ikner was informed that the child would be going to South Florida during spring break.

ABC News reported that the affidavit stated, “Instead of staying in South Florida, the defendant allegedly flew the country with him, in violation of their child custody agreement.” Mr. Ikner told ABC News that Christian had developmental delays and special needs, which he was afraid would not be met without his access to doctors in the United States.

Christopher Ikner discovered that Christian was kidnapped while on a telephone call with his son.

The father alerted the authorities and grew concerned that his son had “developmental delays and special needs.”

The sheriff’s affidavit said Christian and his biological mother were dual citizens of the United States and Norway, and that the child was on medication for “several health and mental issues, to include a growth hormone disorder and ADHD,” ABC News reported.

CBS News reported that Anne-Mari Eriksen and Christopher Ikner were involved in custody disputes from 2007 to 2023.

Christian returned to the U.S. in July 2015 after his mother had been arrested at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport. She later pleaded guilty to illegally removing an unborn child from Florida.

CBS News reported that public records indicate Christopher Ikner and Jessica Ikner were married in 2010.

Christian Gunnar Eriksen’s name changed to Phoenix Ikner by 2020.