FSU player Ethan Pritchard shot Sunday night in nearby Havana

Former Sanford Seminole football star Ethan Pritchard, a freshman linebacker at Florida State, was hospitalized in intensive care Monday after being shot Sunday night in Havana, a small town about 16 miles northeast of Tallahassee.

FSU released a statement at 9:30 Monday morning:

“Ethan Pritchard, a freshman linebacker on Florida State’s football team, is in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit at a local hospital after suffering a gunshot wound last night while visiting family in Havana, Florida. 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. Further updates will be provided as they are available.”

A family member with knowledge of the incident told the Sentinel: “Ethan attended a family gathering with his closest family members on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the holiday weekend and Saturday’s victory. Before driving back to campus, Ethan offered to drive his aunt and her 2-year-old child home after the family gathering ended. It was on that drive home that a gunman, unknown to Ethan and his family, opened fire at random as the vehicle entered his family’s neighborhood. Ethan was the only person struck by the gunfire.”

The family member also said Pritchard, 18, was shot in an area at the back of his head. There has been no word on the extent of Pritchard’s injury.

FSU coach Mike Norvell discussed the situation at his weekly Monday news conference at 11:30 a.m.

“Grateful for all the support, the medical support he was able to receive,” Norvell said. “Our football team, coaches, family are all there to support them. We’re praying for all parts of him and the journey that’s ahead.”

WCTV in Tallahassee reported on its website that the Gadsden County sheriff’s department told the TV station the shooting happened around 10 p.m. near the Havana Heights Apartments. Capt. Anglie Holmes, PIO with the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, told WCTV the victim was wounded inside his car.

“Officers did arrive [and] were able to get him out of the vehicle, and EMS arrived where they transported him to a local hospital,” Holmes said told WCTV.

Pritchard’s mother, who died about two months after Ethan was born, attended FSU.

Pritchard signed with FSU in December 2024 and enrolled in January. The coaches have been pleased with his progress, but he did not play in the Seminoles’ season-opening 31-17 victory over No. 8 Alabama on Saturday.

Pritchard was a standout linebacker for Seminole High and was the No. 7-ranked prospect in the Sentinel’s 2025 Central Florida Super60.

Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.

Click here to read article