News Summary
In a shocking incident, four individuals were arrested following the shooting of Florida State University linebacker Ethan Pritchard. Pritchard was ambushed while dropping off family members and remains in critical condition. The suspects face multiple charges, raising concerns about violence in college sports. As investigations continue, the football community stands united in support of Pritchard’s recovery and his family during this troubling time.
Tallahassee, Florida
Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the shooting of Florida State University linebacker Ethan Pritchard. The arrest announcement was made by Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass. Pritchard was ambushed on August 31 while he was dropping off family members near an apartment complex in Havana, Florida. Reports indicate that he was shot in the back of the head during the incident, but was “not doing anything wrong” at the time.
Pritchard remains in critical but stable condition at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. The 6-foot-2, 224-pound freshman from Sanford, Florida, was unable to participate in Florida State’s season opener against No. 8 Alabama on August 30 due to the shooting incident.
Details on the Arrests
The arrested suspects include Jayden Bodison, Caron Miller, Germany Atkins, and an unnamed minor. Bodison, Miller, and the juvenile have been charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle. Germany Atkins was charged with one count of probation violation. Currently, it is unclear whether any of the accused individuals have obtained legal representation.
Investigation and Background
The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation in coordination with multiple agencies, including the Florida State University Police and Tallahassee Police Department. According to Sheriff Morris Young, this shooting may have been a case of mistaken identity. The details surrounding the motives behind the shooting remain under investigation.
Ethan Pritchard’s father, Earl Pritchard, attended Florida State’s game against East Texas A&M, representing his son during this challenging time. In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been established to support Pritchard and his family, which has raised nearly $130,000 as of the latest update.
Impact on the Football Community
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the Florida State football community. Coach Mike Norvell expressed his sadness over the incident, noting Pritchard’s passion for the game and the potential he has shown. The situation remains under close watch as authorities work to unravel the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event.
This incident has not only raised concerns about violence in communities but also highlights the potential risks facing young athletes. The college football season is underway, but the focus in Tallahassee remains on the recovery of Ethan Pritchard and the legal proceedings that will follow the arrests of those involved.
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Additional Resources
- ABC News: Trial Date Postponed
- Wikipedia: Florida State University
- ESPN: Four Arrests Made
- Google Search: Florida State University shooting Ethan Pritchard
- Tallahassee Democrat: FSU Mass Shooting Trial Set
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida State University
- Click Orlando: Arrests in FSU Linebacker Shooting
- Google News: Florida State University shooting
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.
