Florida State University has confirmed that freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard was shot while visiting family in Havana, Florida, and is currently in critical but stable condition. The incident occurred on Sunday night, and the university released an official statement on Monday outlining the situation.
Pritchard, a 6-foot-2, 224-pound freshman, was visiting his family in Havana, Florida, when he was shot. The Pritchard family has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the public and the dedicated care provided by first responders and medical professionals, while also requesting privacy during this sensitive time. They have stated that further updates will be released as more information becomes available.
Currently, Pritchard is under intensive care at a hospital located in the Tallahassee area. He did not participate in the Seminoles’ 31-17 upset victory over No. 8 Alabama, which took place on Saturday. However, the Gadsen County Sheriff’s Office has not yet issued a public statement or responded to inquiries regarding the incident.
Pritchard has a strong football background, having played high school football at Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida, where he was a four-star recruit. He was rated No. 437 in the 247Sports Composite and No. 507 nationally in the On3 Industry Ranking. ESPN also highlighted his talent, placing him at No. 39 among national linebackers and No. 64 among Florida players.
As a senior, Pritchard helped lead Seminole High School to a 10-2 record, which earned them a spot in the second consecutive regional final in 2024. He recorded 39 tackles and seven tackles for loss in nine games. In his junior year, he had 75 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery as Seminole High School achieved a 10-3 record. He began his high school football career as a safety before transitioning to linebacker during his sophomore year.
Pritchard committed to Florida State in October 2023, choosing the Seminoles over Miami, Florida, and UCF, among other schools. This incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of student-athletes, prompting calls for increased protection measures.