Florida A&M University homecoming shooting leaves 12 people injured, including 6 children

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA: A shooting near Florida A&M University’s Bragg Memorial Stadium left 12 people injured during packed homecoming celebrations on Saturday, October 24. 11 people were struck by gunfire, including six children, while another person was hurt while fleeing the scene.

The youngest shooting victim was 11 years old. Three victims suffered serious injuries, including one who remained in critical condition, while eight others were reported to be stable. Police had not made any arrests or identified suspects as of the midnight update.

Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell expresses distress over shooting

The gunfire erupted shortly before 8 pm near the intersection of Perry and Manatee streets, close to the university’s football stadium. Investigators believe an altercation between individuals may have led to the shooting, although the exact cause of the confrontation remained unclear.

Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell expressed his distress over the incident during a late-night news conference.

“I stand before you tonight devastated,” Revell said.

The shooting happened shortly after Florida A&M’s Rattlers lost their homecoming football game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Large crowds were still gathered in the surrounding streets when the violence broke out.

The grandmother of one of the victims was also injured while trying to escape the scene as people ran for safety.

Tallahassee police carry injured victims through panicked crowds

Videos shared on social media showed the chaotic aftermath, with officers rushing to help the wounded and emergency responders treating injured people on the ground.

One clip showed officers carrying an injured person through a parking lot on a makeshift cloth stretcher. Other footage showed police trying to control the crowds as people fled, leaving debris and personal belongings scattered across the streets.

Revell said officers had to carry some of the injured themselves because emergency vehicles could not get through the crowds.

“We had officers who were picking up victims and carrying them in their arms to transport because they couldn't get through the mass of people,” the police chief said.

Witnesses also described the fear and confusion as people tried to escape the gunfire. One person wrote on Facebook that they were praying for the children after witnessing the incident.

“My 1st and last homecoming. On God! My kids and their friends were crying and I'm trying to pull other people kids to safety,” the witness wrote.

The person added, “This could have been any of our babies.”

Another witness described the scene on Perry Street as people ran, fell, ducked, and hid. A separate social media post claimed the writer had seen people being shot directly in front of them.

Florida State University issues warning after Florida A&M University shooting

The shooting also prompted neighboring Florida State University (FSU) to issue a precautionary warning to students, faculty and staff in the Tallahassee area.

The university advised people to remain indoors and stay alert while authorities responded to the incident. FSU also said there was no indication that members of its community were involved in the shooting.

By 9.45 pm, Tallahassee police had confirmed that the shooting scene was secure. However, authorities had not identified any suspects or established what triggered the altercation.

Florida A&M University issued a statement shortly after 11 pm, expressing sympathy for those affected by the violence.

“Our hearts go out to the victims and all those affected by this tragic incident,” the university said.

The school added that the campus remained safe and encouraged people to avoid the area while law enforcement continued its investigation.

Police had made no arrests as of the midnight update, leaving questions about the confrontation and those responsible for the shooting unanswered.