Tragedy struck the Florida State University football community this past weekend as freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard was critically wounded in a shooting incident. The episode unfolded last Sunday night, near Havana Heights Apartments, approximately 25 minutes away from FSU's campus. Pritchard was reportedly driving his aunt home from a family gathering when the shooting occurred.
As per WFTV, Pritchard's father, Earl, has been by his son's side at the intensive care unit, urging the community to pray for the young athlete currently in critical condition. Earl disclosed his son had been shot in the back of the head, and doctors are heavily sedating Pritchard, waiting for head swelling to subside before further assessment.
While the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is spearheading the investigation, they have yet to share details about the shooter or possible motives. In the wake of the distressing news, FSU Head Coach Mike Norvell expressed his solidarity, stating, "Just want to first start off. Just thoughts and prayers with Ethan Pritchard and his family. It's obviously an extremely, just tragic event for the young man," during a press conference detailed by FOX 35 Orlando. Norvell had visited the player and his family at the hospital the previous night.
Pritchard's recent down-the-sideline appearance during FSU's victory against Alabama contrasted sharply with the reality of the intensive care unit, where now he fights for his life. Meanwhile, false rumors of a named suspect circulated on social media, which the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office promptly addressed, stating no suspect has been identified and denying the existence of a spokesperson associated with the mentioned name, according to their updated Facebook post.
The FDLE encourages anyone with information about the shooting to contact them at 850-627-9233 or Big Bend Crime Solvers at (850) 574-TIPS.
