News Summary
Ethan Pritchard, a freshman linebacker at Florida State University, has been released from the hospital after nearly six weeks of recovery from a gunshot wound suffered on August 31. The incident, believed to be a case of mistaken identity, led to the arrest of four suspects. Pritchard’s recovery journey has been challenging, but he is now alert and communicating with his family and teammates, who showed their support as he left the hospital. The community remains hopeful for his continued progress as he moves to rehabilitation.
Tallahassee, Florida – Florida State freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard was released from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital on Thursday, October 9, after nearly six weeks of recovery from a gunshot wound he sustained on August 31. Pritchard was shot in the back of the head while driving his aunt home from a family gathering in Havana, Florida.
Authorities believe the shooting was likely a case of mistaken identity, as Pritchard’s vehicle was similar to that of the intended target. Following the incident, four suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting. Pritchard has since been transferred to Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville, Florida, to continue his rehabilitation process.
Florida State University released a statement indicating that Pritchard is currently alert, responsive, and able to communicate. In a show of solidarity and support, videos on social media captured his teammates cheering him on as he left the hospital on a stretcher.
Pritchard’s father, Earl Pritchard, expressed his gratitude for the community’s unwavering support during this challenging time, particularly acknowledging Florida State head coach Mike Norvell’s presence at the hospital each day. He noted that the journey over the past 39 days has had its ups and downs but highlighted the significance of both him and Ethan leaving the hospital together.
Prior to the shooting, Pritchard, who was a 3-star recruit from Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida, had committed to play for Florida State in October 2023. Tragically, he was unable to participate in the team’s season-opening win against Alabama, which occurred just days before the shooting incident. Following the shooting, Pritchard was sedated in intensive care for over a month and was recently taken off life support. As a positive sign of recovery, he is now largely breathing on his own.
Earl Pritchard emphasized that his son still has a long road to recovery ahead but is motivated to overcome the obstacles with the support of his family and the Florida State community. The resilience displayed by both Ethan and his loved ones serves as a testament to the strength found in challenging times.
As the Pritchard family continues to navigate this difficult period, they are also thankful for the efforts from the hospital staff, Florida State’s sports medicine teams, and the Gadsden County Sheriff’s office for their commitment to pursuing justice in this case.
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Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
