Florida State linebacker Ethan Pritchard in critical but stable condition after shooting
Freshman was visiting family in Havana, Florida, university says; remains in intensive care
Florida State linebacker Ethan Pritchard is in critical but stable condition after being shot Sunday night while visiting family in Havana, Florida, the university said in a statement Monday.
Pritchard, a 6-foot-2, 224-pound freshman, remains in intensive care at a Tallahassee-area hospital, Florida State said. The statement asked for privacy for the Pritchard family and thanked first responders and medical professionals for their care.
The university did not release further details about the circumstances of the shooting. The Gadsden County Sheriff's Office, which serves Havana, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Pritchard did not play in Florida State's 31-17 upset victory over then-No. 8 Alabama on Saturday. The freshman had been a four-star recruit out of Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida, and was rated No. 437 in the 247Sports Composite and No. 507 nationally in the On3 industry rankings.
The team announced Pritchard's condition in a brief statement Monday, saying "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." The statement did not provide medical specifics beyond his intensive care status.
Pritchard enrolled at Florida State this year and had been part of the Seminoles' linebacker rotation during practices and team activities. There was no indication from the university that his absence from the Alabama game was related to the shooting; team officials have not provided a timeline tying his nonparticipation to the incident.
Florida State's announcement prompted an outpouring of support from teammates and fans, and the program emphasized the family's request for privacy. The university said it will provide updates as they become available.
No arrests or suspects were mentioned in the university's statement. Local law enforcement agencies customarily investigate shootings, and any active investigation would be handled by the appropriate county authorities. Florida State did not indicate whether the university police or other law enforcement agencies were involved.
Pritchard's high school career at Seminole High produced the recruiting rankings that helped him earn a scholarship to Florida State. As the program and his family await further information, the university's statement said additional updates will be provided when available.