Details have finally emerged about the shooting of Florida State linebacker Ethan Pritchard, who was shot in the back of the head. The freshman football player is reportedly in stable condition at a hospital in Tallahassee, Florida, after the horrifying incident that occurred following his team’s upset win over Alabama.
According to his father, Earl Pritchard, the shooting happened while Ethan was driving his aunt home from a family gathering. Earl Pritchard told WFTV, “He was actually in the car taking my sister around the corner to her daughter’s house to drop her off. They turned the corner, and as soon as they turned the corner, they heard gunshots.”
The events that led up to the shooting are now a little clearer, thanks to the new information. The incident took place in Havana, Florida, which is about 30 minutes outside of Tallahassee. While officials are still investigating the incident, we know that Ethan was driving his aunt at the time of the shooting.
Ethan Pritchard may have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time
This whole situation is awful, and it’s even worse to think about how it happened right after the Florida State Seminoles beat Alabama, a huge upset. It’s a sobering reminder that things can change in an instant, even after a big victory. To be fair, Pritchard’s father says he is in stable condition, which is a massive relief. Still, it makes you wonder about the safety of athletes and public figures.
Ethan is a highly rated player and an important part of the Florida State team. He was a four-star recruit who played high school football at Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida. He was ranked No. 437 in the 247Sports Composite and No. 507 nationally in the On3 Industry Ranking. ESPN also had him as the No. 39 linebacker in the nation and the No. 64 player coming out of Florida.
Update: Florida State LB @EthanPr74464069 Remains In Stable Condition After Tragic Shooting Incident Sunday Night
— LetsGoNolez (@lets_go_nolez) September 4, 2025
The 6’2 224lbs Sanford, FL Native Was Shot In The Back Of The Head & Remains At TMH His Father Revealed
Praying For Pritchard And His Family#PrayForPritchard pic.twitter.com/ZJBC030jeI
As a senior in high school, he helped his team to a 10-2 record, making it to the regional final for the second year in a row. He recorded 39 tackles and seven tackles for loss in nine games that season. The year before, as a junior, he had an impressive 75 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and even a fumble recovery, helping his high school team go 10-3. He started his high school career as a safety before moving to linebacker as a sophomore. He committed to Florida State in October 2023, choosing them over other big-name schools like Miami, Florida, and UCF.
This news comes when Florida is already reeling from big changes. For instance, the Surgeon General is announcing that vacccines make you a slave and “natural milk” getting people sick.
Right now, the most important thing is that Ethan recovers fully. It’s a tough situation for him, his family, and the entire Florida State team. This whole ordeal puts a damper on what should have been a celebratory time for the Seminoles after a hard-fought game. Hopefully, he can get back on his feet and back on the field soon, but for now, his health is what matters most.
