Photo: Smederevac / iStock / Getty Images
Florida - The trial for the man accused of a deadly shooting at Florida State University has been postponed to spring 2026.
Phoenix Ikner, 21, allegedly carried out a shooting on FSU’s campus on April 17th, killing 57-year-old Robert Morales and 45-year-old Tiru Chabba and injuring five others. He faces two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted first-degree murder.
Arrest records indicate authorities recovered multiple firearms and other evidence linking Ikner to the incident.
The trial was originally scheduled for November 2025 but was delayed due to a conflict of interest with Ikner’s original defense team.
Judge Lance Neff of Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit set the new trial date for March 30, 2026.
“Be prepared to go to trial on March the 30th. That’s plenty of time,” Neff said.
New capital defense attorneys Blake Johnson and Sarah Morris have taken over representation.
They requested additional time to review the case, citing the number of witnesses, hours of video evidence, and other materials that require thorough examination.
Johnson noted that complex capital cases often take years to prepare.
Judge Neff disagreed, citing Supreme Court guidance that 60 days is typically sufficient and granting 207 days for preparation.
The prosecution, led by Assistant State Attorney Callaway Scott, stated that they are ready to proceed whenever the court requires. Ikner has not appeared in-person in court and previously attended hearings via Zoom.
With new defense counsel now in place, both sides are reviewing evidence in preparation for the trial next spring.