Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old man from Greenville, South Carolina, was tragically killed in a mass shooting at Florida State University in Tallahassee on April 17, 2025. Chabba, who was a regional vice president for Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, was on campus when the gunman opened fire, leaving two dead and six injured. The shooting occurred near the student union, where Chabba was working at the time.
His death has left his family, including his wife and two children, devastated.
The alleged shooter, identified as 20-year-old FSU student Phoenix Ikner, opened fire before being confronted and shot by university police. Ikner survived and has been hospitalized since the incident. Authorities have revealed that the gun used in the attack belonged to Ikner’s stepmother, a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The firearm was a former service weapon that she had purchased after receiving a new gun. Investigators are now looking into how Ikner was able to access the weapon.
Chabba’s family has hired attorneys, including civil rights lawyer Bakari Sellers, to seek justice and accountability for his death. They have called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The Tallahassee Police Department has assured the public that they are committed to conducting a comprehensive inquiry, while Florida State University officials have expressed their grief and support for the victims’ families.
Chabba’s funeral was held on April 25 in Greenville, South Carolina, at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park. His colleagues and friends have described him as a dedicated professional who cared deeply about his work and the students he served. His loss has been felt across the community, with many mourning the senseless violence that took his life. The investigation into the shooting continues, with authorities working to determine the full details of the incident and any potential legal consequences for those involved.
