Florida State freshman linebacker ‘critical but stable’ after being shot following team’s win over Alabama

Florida State freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard is in critical but stable condition in hospital after being shot on Sunday night following his team’s victory over Alabama.

According to Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting took place in Havana, Florida, around 16 miles from Tallahassee.

Prithcard was visiting his family at the time, FSU revealed in a statement, and was sat in a vehicle outside an apartment building. Following the shooting, the freshman linebacker was found wounded in the vehicle before then being taken to an intensive care unit at a nearby hospital.

“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,” FSU added.

“Further updates will be provided as they are available.”

Mike Norvell, FSU head football coach, spoke with reporters yesterday, Monday, September 1, and labeled the situation “tragic”.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – JULY 30: Linebacker Ethan Pritchard #35 of the Florida State Seminoles during the first day of Fall Football Practice at the Albert J. Dunlap Athletic Training Facility on the campus of Florida State University on July, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida. Pritchard is in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit at a local hospital after suffering a gunshot wound in the head over the weekend while visiting family in Havana, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

“This morning I was there in the hospital until early hours, and through Ethan’s dad, he gave me the opportunity to be able to share a little bit of where things were, and then we had an opportunity to gather with the team this morning just to give them an update and a perspective on where that is,” Norvell said.

The university also posted a message on its official football X account.

“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 program wrote.

Pritchard, from Sanford, Florida, enrolled at FSU in January.

He did not feature in the Seminoles’ season-opening surprise win over Alabama on Saturday, August 30.

We’re sending prayers in the direction of Ethan Pritchard.

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