'I knew that this is a broken country': FSU teacher's social media post goes viral as active shooter opens fire on campus

A shooter opened fire at the Florida State University Tallahassee campus Thursday, injuring multiple people. Students were immediately alerted to seek shelter as the active gunman was on the loose. After an hour of madness, one person was taken in custody but the suspect's identity was not revealed.

"An active shooter has been reported in the area of Student Union. 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 FSU alert said.

4 months ago, I moved back to the USA after 10 years in Australia. This afternoon I am in my office at Florida State, hiding from an active shooter on campus.

I knew that this is a broken country, but I didn't expect it to come so close so soon... https://t.co/dNtgAJ8Phf

— David Newheiser (@dnewheiser) April 17, 2025

David Newheiser, a writer and a teacher of FSU, caught in the emergency posted a message that he recently moved back to the USA from Australia knowing that it is a broken country. "4 months ago, I moved back to the USA after 10 years in Australia. This afternoon I am in my office at Florida State, hiding from an active shooter on campus . I knew that this is a broken country, but I didn't expect it to come so close so soon..." the post read.

At least six people were being treated at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, a spokesperson told WCTV. Five of the victims were in serious condition, while the sixth was in critical condition.

Horrific footage of students fleeing as sirens blasted emerged in social media. The FBI too was on the scene.

It wasn’t clear if the campus had been secured, but all classes and university events have been canceled for the rest of the day, the school’s alert said. President Trump said he’d been briefed on the shooting, telling reporters in the Oval Office: “It’s a shame, a horrible thing, it’s horrible that things like this take place.” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote in a post on X: “Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding.”

Who is the FSU shooter?

Several photos and videos went viral, claiming to be those of the shooter. But police have not released the identity of the shooter. When the shooter started firing, a law enforcement training was taking place and the students did not understand it was a real shooting.