A promising young athlete’s life hangs in the balance after a violent shooting in a small Florida town. Ethan Pritchard, an 18-year-old freshman linebacker at Florida State University, is in critical but stable condition after being shot while visiting family in Havana, Florida, on Sunday evening, September 1, 2025. Just a day after FSU’s season-opening victory, the incident has left the university community and fans reeling, rallying support for the talented player. The shooting took place around 10 p.m. outside the Havana Heights Apartments, a residential complex in Havana, a quiet community about 15 miles northwest of Tallahassee. Pritchard was inside a vehicle when gunfire erupted, striking him. Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded quickly, finding the injured athlete and ensuring he was rushed to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.
He remains in the intensive care unit, fighting to recover. Authorities have not released details about the motive, but one report suggests the shooter may have mistaken Pritchard’s vehicle for another, though this remains unconfirmed. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is leading the investigation, with no suspects identified or arrests made. The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office has urged the public to avoid spreading rumors, emphasizing that misinformation about a potential suspect has circulated online.
They are actively seeking tips and have provided contact numbers for anyone with information: FDLE at 850-627-9233 or Big Bend Crime Solvers at 850-574-TIPS. Pritchard, a Sanford native and graduate of Seminole High School, was a standout recruit for FSU. A three-star or four-star linebacker, depending on the recruiting service, he was ranked among the top 100 players in Florida and chose FSU over offers from schools like Florida and Miami. He impressed coaches at 6-foot-2 and 224 pounds during spring practice and preseason, with FSU defensive coordinator Tony White praising his athleticism and potential.
Though he did not play in FSU’s 31-17 upset win over No. 8 Alabama on Saturday, August 30, 2025, Pritchard was seen as a rising star on the team. FSU head coach Mike Norvell addressed the tragedy during his weekly press conference, calling it a “tragic event” and sharing that he spent Sunday night at the hospital with Pritchard’s family.
“We’re praying for all parts of him and the journey that’s ahead,”
Norvell said, highlighting the team’s support.
The Pritchard family, grateful for the outpouring of prayers and support from first responders, medical staff, and the community, has requested privacy during this difficult time. Pritchard’s roots run deep in the area. His mother, an FSU alum who passed away shortly after his birth, was believed to be from Havana, which may explain why he was visiting family there. According to athletic director Woody Cox, Pritchard was a star athlete and leader known for his integrity at Seminole High School. The Seminole High community has joined FSU in expressing heartfelt support for his recovery.
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