Florida State freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard is in critical but stable condition after being shot Sunday evening.
Just one day after his Seminoles team 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.
Here's what to know about Ethan Pritchard's condition following Sunday's shooting.
Ethan Pritchard shooting updates
WFTV reported Monday that Pritchard was in critical condition following a shooting outside of Tallahassee that happened Sunday night. 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 has been "heavily sedated" in intensive care as doctors have waited for the swelling in his head to decrease.
As of Wednesday, ESPN reported that Pritchard remained in stable condition at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.
“Just ask the community and everybody for their prayers,” Earl Pritchard told WFTV.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is leading the investigation into the shooting, which is still ongoing. Both FSU and Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell have recently released statements on Pritchard’s condition.
“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.”