Florida A&M University encountered a horrible scene during their homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 24, after a shooting near the Historically Black University’s Bragg Memorial Stadium left 12 people injured, including six children.
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According to NBC News, the violence erupted around 8 p.m. in Tallahassee, Florida, as the university celebrated its annual homecoming festivities. Eleven people have gunshot wounds, while another person was injured attempting to flee the scene.
Three victims suffered serious injuries, including one minor, while the remaining nine were reported to be in stable condition.
Six Minors Among Victims As Police Investigate Shooting
In NBC News, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell confirmed during an early Sunday morning news conference that six of the injured victims were younger than 18, with the youngest being just 11 years old.
Revell said one victim was believed to be a Florida A&M student, although authorities have not publicly identified those injured.
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from an altercation involving a small group of individuals.
“Our preliminary information shows that an altercation occurred between individuals,” Revell said, describing the shooting as “an isolated incident between two or three individuals.”
Authorities believe one shooter was involved, but no arrests had been made as of early Sunday morning.
“Our priority is to determine what happened and why it happened, and to bring the people that are responsible for this to justice,” Revell said.
The shooting occurred near Bragg Memorial Stadium, where FAMU’s Rattlers had hosted the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions for the university’s annual homecoming football game earlier that evening.
Following the incident, FAMU issued a statement on X urging members of its campus community to avoid the affected area while reassuring students that the campus remained safe.
“Our hearts are with the victims and everyone affected by tonight’s incident on Perry Street,” the university stated.
Nearby, Florida State University (about one mile away) there also was an additional issued emergency alert. NBC News states that the university said there was no indication that anyone affiliated with its campus was involved.
“As a precaution, students, faculty and staff in the Tallahassee area are advised to remain indoors this evening and stay alert,” Florida State officials advised.
Police Say Fight Preceded Shooting As Officers Rushed To Rescue Victims
According to WUSF, preliminary findings from Tallahassee police indicate that a fight broke out near the intersection of Perry and Manatee streets before gunfire erupted shortly before 8 p.m.
The shooting occurred following FAMU’s homecoming football game, leaving officers to navigate a crowded area as they responded to the injured.
In a statement reported by WUSF, Revell expressed condolences to the victims and their families, particularly those whose children were injured.
“Tonight, our thoughts are with the victims and their families as they face the devastating impact of this violence,” Revell said. “It is especially heartbreaking to know that children are among those injured.”
The police chief also commended responding officers for rushing into the scene before authorities had fully secured the area.
“In the moments immediately following the shooting, and before the scene was fully secure, our officers put their own safety at risk to carry victims to safety and transport them to the hospital,” Revell said.
He described their actions as “nothing short of heroic.”
WUSF also reports that FAMU officials were monitoring the situation and reiterated that the university’s campus remained safe.
As investigators work to piece together the circumstances surrounding the violence, Revell emphasized the department’s commitment to securing answers for the victims and their loved ones.
“As our detectives work to determine exactly what happened and identify those responsible, we remain committed to getting answers for these families,” he said. “We ask anyone with information to come forward and help us do just that.”
The investigation remains ongoing, with Tallahassee police urging anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information about those involved to contact the department.
