News Summary
Tallahassee faces a significant rise in gun violence, including multiple shootings resulting in fatalities and injuries. Recent incidents at Cascades Park and Redpoint Tallahassee raise safety concerns, prompting community discussions and political responses. Florida’s leaders call for action to address the growing epidemic, emphasizing the need for measures to promote safety and reduce access to high-powered weapons. The worrying trend highlights the urgent need for solutions as residents seek to mitigate the risks associated with increasing gun-related incidents.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — A significant rise in gun violence is alarming residents after a series of shootings in the area, including incidents that have involved fatalities, injuries, and temporary school closures. The Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) confirmed that a suspect involved in a violent attack at Cascades Park is now deceased. This unfortunate event follows a troubling pattern, as gun violence continues to surge in the city.
On August 31, Ethan Pritchard, a freshman football player at Florida State University (FSU), was shot in Havana, Florida. Four individuals have been arrested in connection to this serious incident. Separately, on September 9, a Rickards High School student sustained non-life-threatening injuries from a gunshot wound caused by what officials believe was a stray bullet at Jack McLean Park. This shooting led to the temporary closure of Fairview Middle School; however, classes resumed by 1 p.m. that same day.
The alarming statistics for 2025 reveal 16 fatalities and over 20 injuries from nearly 42 serious shootings recorded in Tallahassee, according to local media analysis of gun-related incidents. Another significant shooting occurred on September 1 at a pool party hosted at Redpoint Tallahassee apartments, where three individuals were seriously injured, including a woman who sustained severe injuries while seeking shelter during the chaos. Witnesses reported that the pool party had drawn between 70 to 100 attendees before the violence erupted, initially mistaken for fireworks.
TPD officials indicated that the pool party shooting stemmed from a conflict that arose during the event. As of the latest updates, no suspects have been identified or apprehended in this case. Previous incidents at Redpoint Tallahassee have raised concerns about safety in off-campus housing for FSU students, with earlier shootings recorded, including an April 2024 incident where a woman was shot in the hand and a fatal shooting during an attempted burglary in November 2024. In response to the recent violence, the regional manager of Redpoint Tallahassee has stressed that community safety and well-being are of utmost priority, stating that violent behavior will not be tolerated.
The recent spike in gun violence has ignited discussions among Florida’s political leaders, with Governor Ron DeSantis calling attention to the need for civil discourse and condemning the rising levels of violence, particularly within political contexts. This comes amid heightened awareness following a high-profile case involving conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. His death sparked widespread reactions from various political factions and prompted prominent public figures, including the President, to order flags to be flown at half-staff in his memory until September 14.
As gun violence persists and raises safety concerns in communities, a medical professional highlighted the troubling trends observed in Florida, noting that repeated exposure to gunshot victims can lead to a desensitization towards the issue. Proposed solutions have emerged, including suggestions to limit access to high-powered weapons and implement universal background checks, drawing parallels to common-sense approaches used in addressing other public health crises.
The ongoing violence and growing community concerns continue to stress the importance of dialogue and action to combat the gun violence epidemic affecting not just Tallahassee, but Florida as a whole. With fatalities and injuries mounting, residents and officials alike are calling for a reevaluation of safety measures and interventions to address the alarming trend of gun-related incidents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Tragedy Strikes Evergreen High School: 16-Year-Old Shooter Leaves Community in Shock
Tragedy at Evergreen High School Leaves Community in Shock
Tragedy Strikes at Utah Valley University During Speech
Tragic Shooting Claims Life of Conservative Activist
Arrest Made in the Case of Missing 12-Year-Old Lori Paige
Tragic Stabbing on Light Rail Raises Safety Concerns
FSU Freshman in Critical Condition Following Shooting Incident
Florida State Freshman Linebacker Injured in Shooting
Leon County Schools to Implement Metal Detectors for Safety
Minneapolis Church Shooting Claims Lives of Two Children
Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Gunfire at Jack McLean Park Leaves Student Wounded
- Wikipedia: Gun Violence
- FSU News: Inside the Shooting at Redpoint Tallahassee
- Google Search: Gun violence in Florida
- Tallahassee.com: Florida Leaders React to Shooting Death of Charlie Kirk
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gun Control
- Tallahassee.com: TMH Doctor’s Plea to Not Become Numb to Gun Violence
- Google News: Florida shootings
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.
