Among those caught in the chaos was Jayden D’Onofrio, a survivor of the nearby Parkland shooting years ago, who described the event as yet another painful chapter in the never-ending cycle of violence. Other students, like Sam Swartz and Holden Mamula, acted quickly to protect themselves and others — using whatever resources were available to block doors and stay hidden.The shooter, identified as a student and the son of a local sheriff’s deputy, had no clear target, according to eyewitnesses. Survivors described the terrifying randomness of the attack and the horror of witnessing classmates fall victim to the gunfire.As sirens pierced the air and law enforcement swarmed the campus, many fled barefoot, leaving behind books and bags on the lawn. Dozens sought refuge in the nearby Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More, where the priest and church staff provided shelter and comfort in a time of overwhelming fear.
This incident comes a decade after a previous shooting at FSU’s Strozier Library and adds to the growing list of mass shootings in the U.S., with over 80 already reported in 2025, according to the Gun Violence Archive.As students returned the next day to retrieve belongings left behind in panic, they walked past evidence markers and shell casings — haunting reminders of a day that should have been about learning, not survival.
