Florida State linebacker Ethan Pritchard in critical condition after shooting
Seminoles say freshman was shot Sunday night while visiting family in Havana; family asks for privacy
Florida State linebacker Ethan Pritchard is in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit after suffering a gunshot wound Sunday night while visiting family in Havana, the program said in a statement on X.
"Ethan Pritchard 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 statement read. 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 program added.
The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office said Pritchard was shot while inside a vehicle outside apartment housing in Havana, Florida. The 6-foot-2 freshman from Sanford had committed to Florida State in October 2023. He did not play in Florida State’s season opener on Saturday, a 31-17 victory over No. 8 Alabama in Tallahassee.
The university’s brief statement did not provide additional details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting or identify any suspects. Local law enforcement provided the initial account that the incident occurred outside the apartments, and the football program deferred to the family’s request for privacy while thanking first responders and medical personnel for their care.
Pritchard’s recruitment and early time with the Seminoles positioned him as a prospect for the linebacker unit; he was listed on the team roster as a freshman following his October 2023 commitment. Florida State’s announcement said further updates would be issued as they become available.
The shooting follows a week in which the Seminoles opened their season with a nationally notable win over Alabama. Team officials and the university did not immediately release comments from coaches or teammates beyond the program’s statement. Community members, fans and members of the college football world have expressed concern through social media, and the program asked that the family’s privacy be respected during the hospitalization and recovery process.
No arrests, charges or additional investigative details were included in the statements released by the football program or by law enforcement in the immediate public notices. The Seminoles and local authorities did not provide a timeline for further updates.
