Tallahassee Firefighters Recount Responding to FSU Active Shooter

Crews from Station 1 rushed toward the chaos, unsure of what they would face.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:06am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a firefighter's gloved hand holding a tourniquet, the harsh flash illuminating the textured material against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the intensity and urgency of the firefighters' response to the active shooter incident.The intense, high-pressure response of firefighters to an active shooter incident reveals the bravery and trauma they face in the line of duty.Tallahassee Today

Tallahassee firefighters Tiebout McCrea, Casey Camp, and Lt. Chris Johnson were among the first responders to the active shooter incident at Florida State University in 2025. The crew from Fire Station 1 raced to the scene, unsure if there were multiple shooters, and immediately began triaging victims and coordinating with law enforcement. The harrowing experience has left a lasting impact on the firefighters, who now reflect on the intensity of that day whenever they pass by the student union where the shooting took place.

Why it matters

Active shooter incidents have become an unfortunate reality for first responders, who must be prepared to confront dangerous, unpredictable situations. This story highlights the bravery and quick thinking required of firefighters when faced with an active threat, as well as the lasting emotional toll such traumatic events can have.

The details

Upon receiving an initial tip about the active shooter, the Engine 101 crew from Tallahassee Fire Station 1 raced to the Florida State University campus before the official alert was even issued. Firefighters Tiebout McCrea, Casey Camp, and Lt. Chris Johnson joined a wave of law enforcement and other first responders heading to the student union, where the shooting had occurred. Unsure if there were multiple shooters still on the loose, the firefighters donned bulletproof vests and helmets and immediately began triaging victims, with Camp taking the lead in treating the most critically injured patient, Madison Askins. The intensity of the scene, with hundreds of police officers pouring in, left a lasting impact on the firefighters, who now reflect on that harrowing day whenever they pass the student union.

  • The incident occurred in 2025 at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.
  • Firefighters received the initial tip and raced to the scene before the official alert was issued.

The players

Tiebout McCrea

A 10-year veteran of the Tallahassee Fire Department who was part of the Engine 101 crew that responded to the active shooter incident at FSU.

Casey Camp

A firefighter, EMT, and certified paramedic on the Engine 101 crew who took the lead in treating the most critically injured victim, Madison Askins.

Lt. Chris Johnson

A lieutenant with the Tallahassee Fire Department who was part of the Engine 101 crew that responded to the active shooter incident at FSU.

Madison Askins

A victim who was shot outside the FSU student union and treated by the firefighters on the scene.

Phoenix Ikner

The suspected shooter who was apprehended by Florida State University Police shortly after the incident began.

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What they’re saying

“I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I'd rather run into burning buildings every day than go into a shooting.”

— Tiebout McCrea, Firefighter

“That's definitely the most intense call I've ever been on. And hopefully ever will. I hope I don't ever have to do that again.”

— Casey Camp, Firefighter, EMT, and Paramedic

“Every time I pass by the union, I think, 'Yep, this is where it happened.' It's something I'm never gonna forget.”

— Casey Camp, Firefighter, EMT, and Paramedic

What’s next

The Tallahassee Fire Department and local law enforcement will continue to review their active shooter response protocols and provide additional training to ensure they are prepared to handle similar high-stress, high-risk situations in the future.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the immense bravery and quick thinking required of first responders when confronting an active threat, as well as the lasting emotional impact such traumatic events can have. It serves as a sobering reminder of the realities firefighters and other emergency personnel face in their efforts to protect their communities.