Tallahassee, FL – A shooting at Florida State University’s student union on April 18, 2025, left one student dead and two injured, with the suspect identified as 19-year-old Ethan Carter, a white FSU student and self-described Trump supporter. The incident, which has drawn national attention, prompted a viral post from Occupy Democrats on April 19, declaring Carter “not a drag queen, not a trans person, not an immigrant, not woke, not DEI, but a white homegrown Trump supporter,” aiming to counter conservative narratives scapegoating marginalized groups.
Carter, a Tallahassee native, opened fire during a crowded event, killing a 21-year-old student before being apprehended by campus police. Charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder, Carter had no prior criminal record but legally owned the firearm used, acquired via a private sale under Florida’s permitless concealed carry law. FSU Police Chief David Perry stated the motive is under investigation, though Carter’s online posts expressed frustration with “university policies.” Local outlet WCTV reported Carter’s social media activity included pro-Trump content, such as a November 2024 post celebrating “MAGA’s” return.
The Occupy Democrats post, credited to
@MMPadellan, reflects a broader push to challenge stereotypes often used to blame minorities for mass shootings. While accurate in describing Carter’s race, background, and political leanings, the post’s focus on his Trump support risks oversimplifying the tragedy. A classmate told the Tallahassee Democrat that Carter had voiced anger over “liberal campus culture,” but no explicit political motive has been confirmed by investigators.
The shooting has reignited debates over gun laws in Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis’s 2023 permitless carry law has been criticized for enabling such incidents. FSU student groups called for stricter regulations, noting Carter’s legal access to the firearm despite being under 21 for handgun purchases. DeSantis’s office vowed “swift justice” but offered no policy response. FSU suspended in-person classes through April 22, providing counseling services.
On X, reactions are divided. Users like
@TizzyEnt echoed the post’s framing, writing, “Another white MAGA shooter—when will they stop blaming everyone else?” Others, like
@MichaelJHarrell, countered, “This is about mental health, not politics.” As the FBI and FSU probe Carter’s motives, the incident underscores the complex interplay of gun access, mental health, and political rhetoric in addressing campus safety.
