Robert Morales, Tiru Chabba Obituary, Death – Authorities have identified two of the victims who lost their lives in the recent mass shooting on the campus of Florida State University (FSU). The shooting, which occurred Thursday, claimed the lives of Robert Morales, a former assistant football coach at Leon High School, and Tiru Chabba, a South Carolina resident employed by a campus vendor.
The incident unfolded when 20-year-old FSU student Phoenix Ikner opened fire on campus grounds, resulting in multiple casualties. The motive for the shooting has not yet been disclosed. The tragedy has left the FSU community and beyond reeling from the unexpected violence.
Confirmation of Morales’s death came on Friday through statements from CBS Miami and the Leon High Athletics Department. Morales was known for his commitment to youth and athletics, having served the Leon High School football team as an assistant coach. The Athletics Department honored him in a public message, highlighting his dedication and the positive influence he had on students and athletes throughout his career.
“Coach Morales worked with heart, principle, and a deep desire to help young athletes grow not only in sports but in life,” the statement read. “His loss is deeply felt throughout the school and local sports community.”
The second victim, Tiru Chabba, was identified by his family, who released a statement through Wukela Communications. Chabba, who was from Greenville, South Carolina, was on the FSU campus working for a vendor contracted with the university at the time of the shooting.
His family described him as a devoted husband and father, a man deeply loved by his wife and two children. Their grief was expressed by attorney Bakari Sellers, who shared a heartfelt message on the family’s behalf.
“They should have been spending this weekend enjoying family and celebrating Easter,” Sellers said. “Instead, they are now mourning a man whose life was taken by an unthinkable act of violence. Tiru was a caring father and loving partner, and his absence has left a painful void.”
Little else has been made public regarding the personal details of Chabba and Morales beyond the statements from their families and associates. Both men are being remembered for their contributions to the people around them — Morales for shaping young athletes, and Chabba for his devotion to family and work.
The shooting has sparked sorrow and disbelief across the university and broader Tallahassee community. According to authorities, the gunman, Ikner, injured several others during the rampage. In total, eight people were hurt, including the shooter himself, who is currently hospitalized. The nature of his injuries has not been specified.
Officials have stated that Ikner is the stepson of a Leon County Sheriff’s Office deputy. However, law enforcement has yet to provide further details regarding how the suspect obtained the firearm or what might have motivated the shooting.
As of Friday, two of the individuals who had been wounded were reported to be in stable condition and preparing to be released from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. The conditions of the other victims, including Ikner, have not been publicly updated.
In the aftermath of the shooting, FSU officials and local law enforcement have worked together to provide counseling resources and crisis support for students, faculty, and families impacted by the violence. Vigils and memorials are also being planned to honor the lives lost and affected.
University administrators expressed condolences in a public statement, acknowledging the pain the incident has caused the community.
“This is a heartbreaking time for Florida State University,” the statement read. “We mourn alongside the families and loved ones of those lost, and we stand united in our resolve to support each other through this tragedy.”
The university has ramped up security measures and increased law enforcement presence across campus while investigations continue. University leadership emphasized the importance of ensuring student and staff safety in the wake of the violent attack.
The tragedy also highlights broader concerns about gun violence and safety on college campuses across the nation. Community leaders and advocates are renewing calls for preventative measures to better protect public spaces and reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, the families of Morales and Chabba are beginning the difficult process of grieving and remembering their loved ones. Their deaths are being marked not just as tragic losses but as devastating reminders of the fragility of life and the urgent need for peace in places of learning and community.
As the investigation into Thursday’s shooting continues, law enforcement officials have asked the public to come forward with any information that might help them understand what led to the attack. They are also reviewing surveillance footage and conducting interviews to piece together the sequence of events.
The community remains shaken, but determined to support the victims, their families, and each other in this time of sorrow. The names Morales and Chabba will now be forever etched into the memory of Florida State University — symbols of lives cut short but not forgotten.
