Investigators say FSU shooter is son of deputy who used mother’s former service weapon

Amna Nawaz:

We begin tonight with another school shooting in America, this time on the campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee. Law enforcement officials confirmed two people have been killed, with six more injured. According to officials, the suspect in custody is a 20-year-old student at the university and the son of a deputy sheriff.

William Brangham has the latest.

Walt McNeil, Leon County, Florida, Sheriff:

This is obviously a heinous crime.

William Brangham:

This afternoon police said they're trying to piece together why and how the son of a sheriff deputy opened fire at Florida State University.

Walt McNeil:

Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons, and that was one of the weapons that was found at the scene. And we will continue that investigation into how that weapon was used.

William Brangham:

Hours earlier, authorities rushing towards the scene, students rushing away from the student union center after reports of gunfire just before noon today.

Woman:

Oh, my gosh.

Joshua Sirmans, Florida State University Student:

I'm just sitting down doing my work, and the alarm goes off. At first, I'm thinking it's just a fire alarm. It sounds a little different, though, and I'm just hearing, active shooter. And you kind of just like panic a little bit in the moment, just like, is that real?

You look down your phone, look at the news, and start to process it. And, damn, people just got shot a couple feet away from you.

William Brangham:

Students on campus were told to shelter in place as law enforcement worked to contain the scene. Students described a sense of terror as the chaos unfolded.

Annaka Banasiak Florida State University Student:

I see these group of girls crying really upset walking back from the student union, told me they heard gunshots.

And they just ran scared for their lives, honestly. It's really scary.

William Brangham:

In Washington this afternoon, President Trump told reporters that he'd been briefed on the situation.

Donald Trump, President of the United States: It's an active shooter. Fully briefed as to where we are right now. It's a shame. It's a horrible thing. Horrible that things like this take place.

William Brangham:

For the FSU community, today's shooting brought back awful memories. In 2014, three people were shot outside the school library. The university has canceled classes for its more than 40,000 students through the rest of the week and all athletic events through the weekend.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm William Brangham.