Officials in Tallahassee, Florida held a press briefing on Thursday following a mass shooting event at Florida State University.
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02:38Center with the University's providing counseling, health care, and other support services.
02:44Family members are also able to go to the Tucker Center for assistance.
02:48Students, faculty, and staff are asked to call their loved ones as soon as possible
02:53to update them on their status.
02:55The Student Union and the surrounding area is still considered an active crime scene.
03:00Individuals should avoid the area.
03:03Students should not return to the student union to retrieve personal property at this time.
03:11Students may return to their residence halls, but they should otherwise stay indoors on main
03:16campus to allow first responders and university staff to do their jobs and respond to those
03:20needing assistance.
03:22Students may depart campus for the weekend.
03:23All classes have been canceled through Friday.
03:31Before I turn this over to Chief Revel, I want to thank all the brave men and women of the
03:36FSU PD for responding immediately to the scene.
03:45I also want to thank the responding agencies who have provided assistance to FSU today big
03:51time, including the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff's Office, the Florida
03:57Highway Patrol, the Leon County Emergency Medical Services, FDLE, and all other responding agencies
04:05today.
04:06We really appreciate your support.
04:08That's all the information I have at this time.
04:11We'll have additional update for you later today.
04:16Chief Rebel.
04:19Good afternoon.
04:23I am Chief Rebel with the Tallahassee Police Department.
04:24As the shooting occurred today, our officers, as well as every single other officer in this
04:29city and county, responded immediately to this scene.
04:33Once on scene and once we began working through what was occurring and what we were working,
04:39in consultation with FSU, the Tallahassee Police Department was asked to take lead on this.
04:44So we will be the lead for this investigation in both the officer-involved shooting portion
04:49of this as well as the homicide portion of this.
04:53I will come up after the last speaker and entertain just a few questions, but needless
05:00to say, we have multiple crime scenes.
05:03This is a very large area we're covering.
05:05We have thousands, hundreds or thousands of witnesses, and again, this is an active ongoing
05:12investigation.
05:13So the information that we will be allowed to release right now may be fairly limited.
05:19I'll answer what I can at that time, but I will assure you that as soon as we can, any
05:25information that becomes available, we will make that available to you.
05:29One of the things in the process, and again, understand that this is an ongoing active investigation.
05:34So things are happening as we are standing here and as we are speaking.
05:38We have identified the shooter, obviously.
05:40He's at the hospital.
05:42So with more on that, I'm going to allow the sheriff to come up and speak on that portion
05:47of it.
05:48Thank you, Chief.
05:52As Chief Rebel indicated, I'm Walt McNeil and the county sheriff.
05:58First and foremost, let me express our gratitude to the responding law enforcement agencies in
06:04this community.
06:05Our citizens should feel some degree of comfort knowing that your law enforcement agencies are
06:12going to respond and do exactly what we did in this case, that is, bring the offender to
06:17justice and to make sure that we do what we can to make sure we lock him or her up.
06:23Let me say to you, this is obviously a heinous crime.
06:29Our deepest condolences go out to the FSU family, the families of the students who are here.
06:37And we understand that you all have been devastated because of this person's actions.
06:42The question that relates to who is the shooter, the shooter is 20-year-old Phoenix Eichner.
06:52And he's the son of a Leon County Sheriff deputy.
07:00Our deputy, Deputy Eichner, has been with the Leon County Sheriff's Office for over 18 years.
07:07She has a tremendous job that she's done.
07:12Her service to this community has been exceptional.
07:15Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons.
07:21And that was one of the weapons that was found at the scene.
07:26And we will continue that investigation into how that weapon was used and what other weapons
07:32perhaps he may have had access to.
07:36The alleged shooter was also a long-standing member of the Leon County Sheriff's Office
07:43Citizen Advisory or Youth Advisory Council.
07:47So he has been steeped in the Leon County Sheriff's Office family, engaged in a number of training
07:55programs that we have.
07:58So it's not a surprise to us that he had access to weapons.
08:03This event is tragic in more ways than you people in the audience could ever phantom from a law
08:11enforcement perspective.
08:14But I will tell you this.
08:16We will make sure that we do everything we can to prosecute and make sure that we send
08:22a message to folks that this will never be tolerated here in Leon County and I dare say
08:28across this state and across this nation.
08:34Let me bring up the FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Hubert Reynolds.
08:45Good afternoon.
08:47My name is Hubert Reynolds and I'm the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Jacksonville Field Office.
08:52I want to echo those standing with me what a horrific crime this is and we stand with you fully.
08:59We have an office here in Tallahassee and we are fully engaged with providing any resources
09:05that we can bring to bear to help with this investigation moving forward.
09:10We've established a digital tips media line where you can upload photos, videos prior to
09:17and during the incident, if you were there from social media, please upload all of that.
09:21I will give you now the website address.
09:24You can upload any tips to www.fbi.gov slash FSU shooting.
09:32Again, that's www.fbi.gov slash FSU shooting.
09:40I want to assure you that we are going to bring every available resource to be able to help the community and the local people here.
09:55Good afternoon, everyone.
09:56I'm Richard McCullough, Rick McCullough, President of Florida State University.
10:00This is a tragic day for Florida State University.
10:04We're absolutely heartbroken by the violence that occurred on our campus earlier today.
10:09Two have died.
10:12Five other innocents are being treated for their injuries.
10:16We're working to support the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this traumatic event.
10:23I just returned from the hospital.
10:26The First Lady and I met some of our students through the victims.
10:30Our hearts go out to our students and the victims of this terrible tragedy.
10:40I have to say that our law enforcement, our FSU police officers, absolute heroes in this regard.
10:50The call went out, someone called it in, and immediately they responded to the scene and immediately neutralized the suspect and prevented this from being a bigger tragedy.
11:03I want to thank them so much for what they do to try to keep our students safe.
11:10I want to thank all the law enforcement partners, FSU police, Tallahassee police, Leon County, Sheriff's Department, Florida Highway Patrol, and Florida Department Law Enforcement, and all other responding agencies for their rapid and courageous response.
11:25I want to thank everybody that came out to visit with the students and help us and to be here today for this press conference.
11:34I appreciate so much the support that you're all providing to our university and to our students.
11:40We're fully cooperating with the investigation and we've heard along for a few months as they continue their work.
11:49I'd also like to thank all the health care providers at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.
11:54They're treating and providing outstanding care to our victims.
11:59Right now our top priority is safety and well-being for all the people in our campus.
12:08As it was said, classes are canceled.
12:11The main campus today and tomorrow in all FSU athletics events on Tallahassee are canceled through Sunday.
12:19We also want to tell you that counseling and psychological services are available to students, faculty, and staff.
12:27And anyone that needs that should call 850-644-2003.
12:36We're also providing support for faculty and staff through our employer assistance program.
12:41And so if you need any help, please, please reach out.
12:46We'll continue to communicate with the campus community as we know more.
12:52This is a deeply emotional time, but we're all here to support each other.
12:59We're going to do everything we can to support our community.
13:04We're a strong and united community.
13:07We're family.
13:08And so we'll take care of all of you.
13:11And we'll get through this together.
13:17All right.
13:18At this time, we will take a few questions.
13:26Let me just reiterate.
13:27This was a massive response, a massive response of law enforcement personnel.
13:33Our federal, state, local partners have continued to build relationships that long preceded this event.
13:39And that came into great play today in the seamless way that we all came together to work these events.
13:47But I know you'll have some specific questions.
13:49I will tell you right now, we are not going to talk about the victims other than the fact that there are six of them,
13:56two additional deceased, and then the suspect.
13:59So nine total persons.
14:01Nine total persons.
14:02Yes, sir.
14:03Have you all been able to talk to the suspect at all?
14:06Any idea about motive?
14:07The suspect invoked his rights not to speak to us.
14:10Chief, do we know that the weapon that was used was his parents' service weapon?
14:17And if so, what are the rules around storing service weapons?
14:22Right.
14:23No, that's a good question.
14:24This weapon was a weapon that the deputy previously used.
14:29A lot of times, many agencies, mine included, when we transition to a new handgun,
14:36the officers are allowed to purchase the handgun they used prior.
14:40And correct me if I'm wrong, Sheriff, but I believe that's the case here.
14:43This was a handgun that that deputy used prior to them transitioning to a new handgun,
14:48and so it was her personal handgun.
14:51Is she put on leave, or...?
14:55The Sheriff would have to speak to that.
14:58We will do a thorough investigation to look at all aspects of it.
15:03There's no calls right now that we're aware of that require her to be placed on any kind of suspension or otherwise.
15:09Yes, ma'am.
15:11We've been hearing stuff that it was a deputy registered legal officer, is that true?
15:16That is correct.
15:17Chief, those who injured those killed, are any of those members of law enforcement?
15:22I'm sorry?
15:23Anyone who died in the shooting or was injured in the shooting, were any of them members of law enforcement?
15:28No, they were not.
15:29They were not.
15:30Yes, sir?
15:31The law enforcement arrived.
15:32Did the suspect engage them?
15:34No, they challenged him and ended up shooting.
15:39He did not comply with commands and was shot.
15:44Did you fire officers?
15:45I do not believe he fired officers.
15:46I do not believe he fired officers.
15:47We've heard that Phoenix may be autistic.
15:48Are you able to confirm that detail?
15:51I do not have that detail.
15:53Is there an idea of victim yet?
15:57I'm sorry?
15:58An idea of victim?
15:59We're not releasing any of the victim information at this time.
16:02Was the officer aware of any behavioral conditions and concerns of threats prior to the incident?
16:06We were not.
16:07How quickly did officers arrive on scene from the 911 call to engage the suspect?
16:13We will get you that information.
16:15I don't have that currently.
16:16I assume that would be a question that was asked.
16:18But I mean, it was almost immediately.
16:20That FSU, obviously this is their campus and they patrol it very well.
16:25So they were on scene almost immediately, engaged almost immediately.
16:30And then everyone else, again, was a massive, very quick response.
16:35I know you said that the two deceased were not students.
16:39Do we know of those five that were injured or any of the students?
16:43Again, we're not releasing any information on the students, on the victims at this point.
16:48Was it going to be what firearm did you use?
16:50I'm sorry?
16:51What kind of firearm was it?
16:52It was a handgun.
16:53What kind of handgun?
16:54I don't know what type of handgun that was.
16:57It was probably a .40.
16:59I don't know.
17:02Chief, I heard a report that a shotgun was also recovered on campus.
17:05Was that used in the shooting?
17:07We do know that he had a shotgun with him.
17:09We have not confirmed anyone was shot with a shotgun at this point.
17:13But again, that could change as we, again, there are hundreds and hundreds of witnesses.
17:19And as we piece all of this back together, information will come to light that we may not have at this point.
17:26So I do not believe so at this point.
17:29We'll take one more question.
17:30I'm sorry.
17:31I'm sorry.
17:32Say again.
17:33Will there be any by-defense footage of regular dispatch or any laws be released in the near future?
17:35I'm sorry.
17:36Say again.
17:37Will there be any by-defense footage of regular dispatch laws or incident reports being released?
17:42We will work with the State Attorney's Office, which we always do, in pulling together all the information, all the investigative evidence from this case.
17:51And in collaboration with State Attorney Campbell, we will make that determination.
17:55Obviously, after the case is over, we will certainly, it all becomes available at that point.
18:01But as to what we can and will release at that point, like I said before, we're very open, transparent on these things.
18:08Again, the officers did an incredible job.
18:11But again, some of this is very horrific.
18:16This is a horrific incident.
18:18And so we will, again, collaborate with the State Attorney's Office and determine which of that evidence could be released or will not be released.
18:29But again, I will let you know that as soon as we make that determination.
18:32So thank you all very much.
18:34Appreciate you being here.
18:35And just let me reiterate what's already been said.
18:38The collaboration between all of the agencies, the federal, the state, the local, all of our first responders, our EMS personnel, our fire department.
18:50Again, just a massive response, immediate treatment to the victims that were there, the transport of them.
18:57Again, it was a very seamless, seamless response to this tragedy.
19:05And that goes to the training that we all do repeatedly individually as agencies and together.
19:12The incident command came together very, very quickly.
19:15And again, I could not be more proud of the response and more horrified at the act.
19:22So thank you very much.
19:24Can you please just real quick verify, again, one more time, the number of people injured and dead or anyone was eight?
19:29Sure.
19:30Total number of nine.
19:31That includes the suspect.
19:33So there are six victims that are injured, two victims that are dead, and one suspect.
19:42And let me just reiterate this because I'm not sure we said this.
19:45We have no reason to believe at this point that he did not act alone.
19:49So there is no further threat to our community at this point.
19:53So thank you very much.
19:54Thank you very much.
19:55Thank you very much.
19:58Thank you very much.