Florida State linebacker Ethan Pritchard shooting has left the young athlete hospitalised in critical but stable condition after an incident on Sunday night in Havana, Florida. Authorities confirmed that the true freshman was visiting a family friend when he was shot a little before 10 p.m.
The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office said officers found Pritchard near the Havana Heights Apartments before emergency crews rushed him to a nearby hospital. He was immediately placed in intensive care.
Captain Anglie Holmes, Public Information Officer for the Sheriff’s Office, told reporters that deputies were able to remove Pritchard from the vehicle before paramedics transported him.
The shooting took place less than 24 hours after Florida State pulled off a major upset over Alabama with a 31-17 win. Pritchard was in uniform on the sideline during the game but did not take the field.
Florida State issued a statement through team representative Steven McCartney, confirming Pritchard’s condition and thanking first responders. The statement read:
“Ethan Pritchard, a freshman linebacker on Florida State’s football team, is in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit at a local hospital after suffering a gunshot wound last night while visiting family in Havana, Florida. The Pritchard family is thankful for the support from so many people, as well as the care from first responders and medical professionals and asks that their privacy be respected at this time. Further updates will be provided as they are available.”
Head Coach Mike Norvell also spoke publicly on Monday. He confirmed that he visited Pritchard in the hospital on Sunday night and sat with the family. Norvell expressed his gratitude for the medical team and offered support from the entire football program.
“Our football team, coaches, family, we’re all here to support them. They love this family that we get to be a part of, and there’s a lot of emotions, and I’ve got a lot of emotions,” Norvell said.
The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing. Local authorities have not released details on possible suspects or motives.
