A photo of Phoenix Ikner and Anne-Mari Eriksen. Photo:
Instagram; State of Florida Department of Corrections
The mother of Phoenix Ikner, the suspected Florida State University shooter, is speaking out.
Anne-Mari Eriksen told WPLG-TV that she had been concerned about her 20-year-old son prior to the mass shooting at the Florida college campus on April 17, when two people were killed and six others were injured.
“I have been concerned for him in the past, but I would never have thought that,” Eriksen told the outlet, adding that she had been “alienated” from her son after a custody battle with his father Christopher Ikner.
Eriksen, who holds dual citizenship in America and Norway, was arrested in 2015 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after taking her son to Europe against his father’s wishes, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.
Police investigate the scene of a shooting near the student union at Florida State University on April 17, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida. Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty
Eriksen had initially told Christopher that she and Phoenix were “traveling to South Florida for spring break,” but instead “fled the country,” allegedly violating the pair’s custody agreement.
While away in Norway, Phoenix, who at the time was named Christian Gunnar Eriksen, missed his school tests, doctor’s appointments and medications he was taking for a diagnosed growth hormone disorder and ADHD, the document states.
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When she eventually returned to the United States, Eriksen was sentenced after pleading no contest to the charge of removing a minor from the state, court records show.
It’s unclear whether Phoenix remained in contact with her following the kidnapping.
Police investigate the scene of a shooting near the student union at Florida State University on April 17, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida. Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty
Phoenix, who was believed to have been an FSU student, was named the suspect in the April 17 mass shooting at FSU in Tallahassee. He was shot by police and taken to the hospital following the incident.
The two victims in the shooting were identified as Robert Morales, a dining coordinator at FSU, and Tiru Chabba, a regional vice president with Aramark Collegiate Hospitality.
Phoenix’s stepmom is Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy Jessica Ikner, Local 10 reported, citing court records. He allegedly used her gun in the shooting, Leon County Sheriff Walter McNeil said at a press conference hours after the incident.
