TAMPA, Fla (WFLA) — Tallahassee police identified the suspect in Thursday's shooting at Florida State University as Phoenix Ikner, the son of a local deputy.

In an afternoon press conference, FSU police Chief Jason Trumbower said the 20-year-old suspect was the gunman responsible for the deaths of two people at the university. Six other people were also hospitalized.

"At approximately 11:50 a.m. Thursday, April 17, a gunman opened fire on the main campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee, shooting multiple individuals in the vicinity of the Student Union Building," Trumbower said. "FSU police responded immediately, engaged, neutralized, and apprehended the shooter."

According to Tallahassee police Chief Lawrence Revell, officers challenged the alleged gunman. When the student did not comply with their commands, the law enforcement officers shot him.

Phoenix Ikner was taken to a hospital after the shooting, the chief said.

Who is Phoenix Ikner?

Phoenix Ikner was believed to be a student at the university, according to Trumbower.

Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil said the 20-year-old was the son of one of his deputies.

"Deputy Ikner has been with the county sheriff's office for over 18 years," McNeil said. "She has a tremendous job that she's done. Her service to this community has been exceptional."

According to the sheriff, the suspect got access to one of his mother's weapons, which was found at the scene. He was also said to have a shotgun with him, but it is not yet known whether he used it on any victims.

"We are continuing that investigation into how that weapon was used and what other weapons perhaps he may have had access to," McNeil said.

Revell said the weapon in question was a gun the deputy used to use before transitioning to a new service weapon.

"This was a handgun that that deputy used prior to them transitioning to a new handgun, and so it was her personal handgun," Revell said.

Phoenix Ikner was also said to be a "long-standing member" of the sheriff's office's Youth Advisory Council before the shooting.

"He has been steeped in the Leon County Sheriff's Office, family, engaged in a number of training programs that we have," McNeil said. "So it's not a surprise to us that he had access to weapons."

Revell said Ikner's motivation for the shooting is not yet known, as he has refused to speak to police.

The FBI is requesting anyone who witnessed the shooting and posted about it on social media to upload their tips to www.fbi.gov/fsushooting.

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