Florida State freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard was hospitalized after being shot in the back of his head the day after his team's 2025 season-opener.
On Aug. 31, one day after the Seminoles upset Alabama to begin the 2025 season, Pritchard was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital after being shot in the back of the head while inside a vehicle in Havana, Florida.
Prtichard's father, Earl, told WFTV in Orlando that the linebacker was leaving a family gathering and driving his aunt home when they heard gunshots. On Sept. 10, four people were arrested in connection to the shooting.
Here's what to know about Ethan Pritchard's condition and further updates from the shooting.
Ethan Pritchard shooting updates
WFTV reported on Sept. 1 that Pritchard was in critical condition following a shooting outside of Tallahassee that happened on Aug. 31. The incident reportedly happened near Havana Heights Apartments, which is around 25 minutes away from FSU's campus, when Ethan was driving his aunt home from a family gathering.
Pritchard was shot in the back of his head. His father told WFTV that Ethan and his aunt heard gunshots "as soon as they turned the corner" while driving away from the family gathering, per ESPN, and Ethan Pritchard had been "heavily sedated" in intensive care as doctors waited for the swelling in his head to decrease.
“Just ask the community and everybody for their prayers,” Earl Pritchard told WFTV.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been leading the investigation into the shooting. On Sept. 10, four people were arrested in connection to the Pritchard shooting, per the AP. Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass said that Pritchard was "not doing anything wrong" when he was shot, simply dropping off family members.
As of Sept. 11, Pritchard remains in critical but stable condition at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.
According to the AP, Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young said authorities believe Pritchard’s shooting was a case of mistaken identity. Three men, Jayden Bodison, Caron Miller and Germany Atkin, plus an unnamed minor, were arrested in connection to the shooting; Atkins was charged with one count of probation violation, while Bodison, Miller and the juvenile were charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle.
Both FSU and Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell have released statements on Pritchard’s condition following the shooting.
“The Pritchard family is thankful for the support from so many people, as well as the care from first responders and medical professionals, and asks that their privacy be respected at this time,” FSU said in a statement, per the AP. “Further updates will be provided as they are available.”
Pritchard, a 6-foot-2, 224-pound freshman Seminole, was a graduate of Seminole County High School. He was a three-star recruit before joining Florida State and he did not appear in the team's Week 1 win over Alabama.
Norvell said he recently visited Pritchard in the hospital.
“Thoughts and prayers with Ethan Pritchard and his family,” Norvell said in a statement, per the AP. “Obviously an extremely tragic event for the young man. I got a chance to be there last night with him, his dad and family. Grateful for all of the medical support that he was able to receive. Our football team, coaches, family were all there to support him. We’re praying for all parts of him and the journey that’s ahead. Definitely appreciate the support from the community that we feel.”
On Thursday, Oct. 9, FSU released a statement from Ethan's father, Earl Pritchard.
"There have been a lot of ups and downs over these last 39 days, and it is remarkable that Ethan and I were able to leave the hospital together today," his father said.
"My heart is filled with gratitude for the outpouring of support for so many people, and I'm so appreciative for every single one of you," he continued. "Ethan has a long journey ahead of him, but I know he will continue to fight and he will do so with the full support of our FSU and Seminole County families and all who have been impacted by this story."
Pritchard was met with cheers and adulation from teammates and support staff upon leaving the hospital.
Mike Norvell and FSU’s entire team greet Ethan Pritchard and family as he leaves TMH to Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville ❤️ pic.twitter.com/4LMZiPuaSW
— Logan B. Robinson (@LogansTwitty) October 9, 2025