What should have been a celebratory weekend for Florida A&M University turned chaotic on Saturday night when a shooting erupted near Bragg Memorial Stadium. The gunfire broke out around 8 p.m. at an intersection just outside the venue, where fans had gathered for the annual homecoming game against the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions. In total, twelve people were injured during the incident, eleven of whom suffered gunshot wounds.
The tragedy was marked by the involvement of several children, according to Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell. Six of those injured are under the age of eighteen, with the youngest victim being only eleven years old. While most victims are currently in stable condition, three people sustained serious injuries, including one minor whose condition remains critical.
Chief Revell described the scene as an isolated conflict stemming from an altercation between a few individuals rather than a random act of mass violence. Despite believing there was only one shooter involved, authorities have not yet made any arrests. Officers arriving on the scene faced immense challenges due to the crowds surrounding the stadium, with some policemen forced to physically carry wounded victims through the masses to reach medical transport.
In response to the chaos, both Florida A&M and nearby Florida State University issued urgent alerts urging their respective communities to avoid the area and remain indoors. FAMU officials emphasized that while the event occurred near campus on Perry Street, the immediate university grounds remained safe. Local investigators are now pleading with any witnesses who may have seen something to come forward as they work to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
