“He Was Just Working”: Honoring the Life of Tiru Chabba and the Victims of the FSU Tragedy
On a seemingly ordinary day at Florida State University, a father of two, a beloved colleague, and a community leader never made it home. Tiru Chabba was doing what he always did—working hard, supporting his team, and fulfilling his responsibilities as a regional vice president for Aramark—when tragedy struck. In the midst of his shift, bullets tore through the calm of campus life, turning an ordinary workday into a scene of unthinkable horror.
Tiru Chabba’s life was stolen in an instant.
He wasn’t looking for trouble. He wasn’t part of a conflict. He was simply doing his job—helping oversee food service operations that fed thousands of students. But on that day, the Student Union became a site of chaos and irreversible loss. The gunman, identified as a student at the university, opened fire in a mass shooting that left two dead, six injured, and countless others traumatized.
Tiru’s death leaves behind a grieving wife, two devastated children, and a community struggling to understand how such violence could erupt in a place meant for growth, learning, and safety. A quiet professional with a strong sense of purpose, Tiru was more than a corporate leader. He was a husband, a father, a mentor, and a deeply compassionate individual who believed in lifting others up. His absence now echoes in the halls where he once worked—and in the hearts of those who knew him best.
Robert Morales, a long-time campus dining worker, was also killed in the shooting. Like Tiru, Robert was simply doing his job, supporting students and staff through his role in the campus dining team. He, too, was robbed of his life by an act of senseless violence.
Six other individuals were wounded during the rampage. Though they survived, their recovery—physical and emotional—will be long and difficult. The shooter, critically injured by responding law enforcement after refusing to comply with commands, now lies hospitalized, his future uncertain.
In the wake of this tragedy, grief is overwhelming, but so too is the demand for justice. Tiru Chabba’s family has hired prominent civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers, who has publicly vowed to pursue accountability. “We will not allow this to be another news cycle tragedy,” Sellers stated. “We will fight for justice—not only for Tiru, but for his children, his wife, and every person who believes we must do better.”
Now, flickering candles and handwritten notes mark the place where Tiru stood just moments before the violence erupted—a temporary memorial for a man whose life was rooted in kindness and service. The campus community, still reeling, is left with haunting questions: How could this happen? And what can be done to make sure it never happens again?
Tiru Chabba should have made it home that day. He should have been there to tuck in his children, to eat dinner with his family, to plan for the future he was building every day with tireless dedication. Instead, his name is now engraved in tragedy.
But even as the candles burn out, the memory of Tiru—his integrity, his love, his unwavering dedication—will not fade. And neither will the call for answers, for justice, and for a safer world where no one has to fear for their life while simply doing their job.
Rest in peace, Tiru Chabba and Robert Morales. You were not forgotten. You were not just victims. You were fathers, friends, colleagues, and members of a community that now mourns your loss and demands more.