On the evening of August 31, 2025, Florida State University (FSU) freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard was shot in Havana, Florida, while visiting family. The incident, which occurred just one day after FSU’s season-opening victory against Alabama, has left the university community and football fans in shock.
Ethan Pritchard, a promising athlete from Sanford, Florida, is currently in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit at a Tallahassee-area hospital. The shooting took place near the Havana Heights Apartments, and the investigation is ongoing, with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) taking the lead. This tragic event has cast a somber shadow over FSU’s recent success and raised concerns about community safety.
Details of the Shooting Incident
The shooting occurred just before 10 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2025, near the Havana Heights Apartments at the corner of 16th Street and South Main Street in Havana, a small town approximately 17 miles northeast of Tallahassee. According to the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of a shooting and found Ethan Pritchard wounded inside a vehicle. Captain Anglie Holmes, the public information officer for the sheriff’s office, confirmed that officers were able to extract Pritchard from the vehicle, and emergency medical services (EMS) promptly transported him to a local hospital for treatment.
Initial reports suggest that Pritchard was visiting family in Havana to celebrate the holiday weekend and FSU’s 31-17 upset victory over No. 8 Alabama the previous day. A family member, speaking to the Orlando Sentinel, indicated that Pritchard was driving a relative home when the incident occurred. According to one account, the shooting may have resulted from a case of mistaken identity, with someone mistaking Pritchard’s vehicle for another and opening fire.
However, the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office has not confirmed this detail, and no arrests have been announced as of September 2, 2025. The FDLE is leading the investigation, and authorities are actively canvassing the area for information. The sheriff’s office has urged anyone with details related to the shooting to contact FDLE or Investigator DeLeon at 850-627-9233. Pritchard underwent surgery on Sunday night at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and remains in the intensive care unit.
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Florida State University issued a statement on September 1, confirming that Pritchard is in critical but stable condition. The statement emphasized the family’s gratitude for the support from first responders, medical professionals, and the broader community, while also requesting privacy during this challenging time. The university has promised to provide further updates as they become available, but no additional details about Pritchard’s condition or the circumstances of the shooting have been released at this time.
Ethan Pritchard’s Background and Promising Career
Ethan Pritchard, a 6-foot-2, 224-pound freshman from Sanford, Florida, is a highly regarded linebacker who joined Florida State University’s football program in January 2025. A former standout at Seminole High School, Pritchard was a four-star recruit and one of the top prospects in Florida. ESPN ranked him as the No. 39 linebacker nationally and the No. 64 player in the state, while Rivals rated him as the No. 23 linebacker in the country.
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His athletic prowess and versatility on the field made him a sought-after recruit, with interest from programs like Miami, Florida, and UCF before he committed to FSU in October 2023. Pritchard’s high school career was marked by impressive performances. As a junior, he recorded 75 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery, helping Seminole High School achieve a 10-3 record.
In his senior year, he contributed 39 tackles and seven tackles for loss in nine games, leading his team to a 10-2 record and a second consecutive regional final in 2024. Initially a safety, Pritchard transitioned to linebacker as a sophomore, showcasing his adaptability and athletic ability. His coaches at FSU have praised his progress, with defensive coordinator Adam Fuller noting after a preseason scrimmage that Pritchard was “showing out” and demonstrating the potential to become a standout linebacker for the Seminoles.
Pritchard’s connection to FSU is also personal. His mother, who passed away about two months after his birth, was an FSU alumna, and Pritchard has spoken about his commitment to the Seminoles as a way to honor her legacy. Despite a challenging 2024 season for FSU, Pritchard remained steadfast in his decision to join the program, citing his trust in head coach Mike Norvell as a key factor. Although he did not play in FSU’s season-opening win against Alabama on August 30, 2025, Pritchard was seen as a rising star with a bright future in college football.
FSU Community and Coach Norvell’s Response
The shooting of Ethan Pritchard has deeply affected the Florida State University community, coming on the heels of the team’s celebrated victory over Alabama. Head coach Mike Norvell addressed the incident during a press conference on Monday, September 1, calling it an “extremely tragic event” and expressing gratitude for the medical support Pritchard has received. Norvell, who spent time at the hospital with Pritchard’s family on Sunday night, emphasized the team’s commitment to supporting Pritchard and his loved ones.
“Our football team, coaches, family are all here to support them,” Norvell said. “We’re praying for all parts of him and the journey that’s ahead.” FSU’s athletic department released a statement on behalf of the football program, reinforcing the community’s solidarity with Pritchard’s family. The statement, shared widely on social media, prompted an outpouring of support from fans, alumni, and even rival fanbases.
Comments on Pritchard’s most recent Instagram post, dated June 13, 2025, included messages of encouragement, with one user writing, “Nole nation and the world is praying for you bro! God is looking over you.” Another comment, posted under FSU’s official statement, came from a Miami fan who said, “Prayers up from the Miami fanbase! Some things are larger than football.”
The incident has also sparked discussions about safety in the areas surrounding Tallahassee. Havana, a small town near the Georgia state line, is generally considered a quiet community, but the shooting has raised questions about gun violence and its impact on young athletes. The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office has addressed misinformation circulating online about potential suspects, urging the public to rely on official updates from authorities. The involvement of the FDLE suggests a thorough investigation, but the lack of arrests or clear motives has left many in the FSU community seeking answers.
As Pritchard remains in intensive care, the focus for now is on his recovery. The FSU football program, led by Norvell, has vowed to rally around him, providing emotional and logistical support to his family. The team’s recent victory over Alabama, a significant milestone that marked Alabama’s first non-conference regular-season road loss in 20 years, has been overshadowed by this tragedy. However, the resilience and unity of the FSU community are evident as they come together to support one of their own during this difficult time.
In conclusion, the shooting of Ethan Pritchard is a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life and the challenges faced by young athletes off the field. As a talented freshman linebacker with a promising future, Pritchard’s injury has sent shockwaves through the FSU community and beyond. The details of the incident remain under investigation, with authorities working to uncover the circumstances that led to this tragic event.
Meanwhile, Ethan Pritchard’s background as a dedicated and talented athlete, coupled with his personal connection to FSU, underscores the profound impact of this incident on those who know him. The outpouring of support from the FSU community, led by Coach Mike Norvell and the athletic department, reflects the strength and solidarity of the Seminole family. As Pritchard fights for recovery, the hope is that he will overcome this challenge and continue to inspire those around him, both on and off the field.