At least five people were killed after an active shooter opened fire at Florida State University's Tallahassee campus. A chilling video has emerged that captures the moment the suspected gunman was neutralized and handcuffed by a police officer moments after students were seen fleeing from a student union building on Thursday afternoon.
The school alarm system rang out a warning telling students about the presence of an active shooter on the campus. "Police are on scene or on the way. Continue to seek shelter and await further instructions. Lock and stay away from all doors and windows and be prepared to take additional protective measures," the alert said.
Terror on Campus
A witness told WCTV that he saw a man, who looked like a college student, coming out from the student union with a handgun. Another witness told the Tallahassee Democrat that he heard what sounded like "automatic gunfire."
Moments after gunshots rang out, students received an emergency alert asking them to take shelter. The alert also ensured that cops were either on their way or already at the scene.
Authorities also advised residents in the area to remain indoors, lock their doors, and stay away from windows as the campus was placed under a lockdown.
Multiple videos have been shared on social media that show panicked students running for shelter and seeking safety. Some videos also show personal belongings such as food, picnic blankets, and bags left behind on the grass as students fled the area in panic.
Situation Under Control
Following the incident, Florida State University announced that all classes and campus events were canceled for the rest of the day. Meteorology student Garrett Harvey posted a video that captures the chilling moment his classmates ran toward the street as chaos broke out on campus.
Another meteorology student, Ryan Cedergren, said he was at a close to the place where the incident unfolded, writing, "We were just evacuated by police and are safe. Sending fervent prayers to all impacted, and huge thank you to fsu police, Tallahassee police, and everyone who came to help."
All schools within the Leon County School District near the campus were also placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure.
FSU Tallahassee, a public university in Florida's capital city, is located in the state's panhandle region. The school has nearly 45,000 students and boasts prominent alumni such as actor Burt Reynolds and Jim Morrison, lead singer of The Doors.
