Shooting Near Florida A&M Stadium Injures 12, Including Six Children, During Homecoming Weekend

A shooting near Florida A&M University’s football stadium in Tallahassee left 11 people with gunshot wounds and another injured while fleeing, as police investigate an altercation that preceded the violence.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

Twelve people, including six children, were injured Saturday night, Oct. 24, in a shooting near Florida A&M University’s Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, where thousands had gathered for homecoming celebrations. Police said one victim remained in critical condition as investigators worked to identify those responsible.

The shooting occurred shortly before 8 p.m. near the intersection of Perry and Manatee streets, close to the university’s football stadium. According to the Tallahassee Police Department’s official statement, preliminary evidence indicates that a physical confrontation occurred immediately before shots were fired.

Of the 12 injured, 11 sustained gunshot wounds, while another person was hurt while fleeing the scene. Six victims were adults and six were minors, with the youngest victim just 11 years old.

Police Chief Lawrence Revell said one person was critically injured, two others suffered serious injuries and eight remained in stable condition. The remaining victim was injured while escaping the gunfire.

At least one of the victims was a Florida A&M student, according to authorities.

The violence unfolded during the university’s annual homecoming weekend, shortly after Florida A&M’s football team played the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

The crowded area surrounding the stadium included students, alumni, families and visitors participating in homecoming activities.

According to WCTV’s reporting on the overnight police briefing, Revell said approximately two dozen officers were already nearby when the gunfire erupted, allowing police to respond immediately.

Officers rushed toward the shooting and began carrying wounded victims to safety before the area was fully secured. Some victims were transported directly to hospitals by responding officers.

“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. 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. Their actions were nothing short of heroic and reflect the courage and compassion our officers bring to this community every day.”

Revell said investigators believe the shooting followed a confrontation involving approximately two or three individuals, although authorities have not established the circumstances that caused the dispute.

Police described the shooting as an apparently isolated incident rather than an ongoing threat to the university or surrounding community.

As of early Sunday, no arrests had been announced, and investigators had not publicly identified a suspect or person of interest.

The Tallahassee Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit is leading the investigation, reviewing evidence and interviewing witnesses who were in the area when the shooting occurred.

A witness described hearing gunshots before seeing people running from the scene.

“We heard a couple of gunshots and a crowd of people running. I had gotten trampled a little, but as I got up, I turned to my right and saw a person laid out on the ground,” Florida A&M student Jayden Dubois told WCTV, according to an Associated Press report.

Florida A&M issued an emergency notification advising students and others near Bragg Stadium and Perry Street to avoid the area or shelter in place while police responded.

The university subsequently confirmed that the shooting occurred outside its campus and emphasized that university grounds remained secure.

“The University is aware of an incident that occurred near campus on Perry Street on the evening of October 24. The Tallahassee Police Department is on the scene and actively investigating the situation,” the university said in a statement.

“Our hearts go out to the victims and all those affected by this tragic incident. While the campus remains safe, individuals are encouraged to avoid the area to allow law enforcement to conduct its investigation.”

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey also expressed condolences to the victims and their families.

“This is a truly horrific and heartbreaking tragedy,” Dailey said in a social media statement. “Tonight and in the days ahead, the FAMU family is not alone. Our entire community stands with you.”

The incident occurred during one of Florida A&M’s busiest annual weekends, when homecoming events attract large crowds to Tallahassee.

Although the shooting took place near the football stadium shortly after the game, police have not established whether the confrontation was directly connected to the university, its students or the sporting event.

According to Fox News Digital, investigators were continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the altercation and had not publicly identified a motive.

Police have asked anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information about those involved to contact the Tallahassee Police Department at 850-891-4200.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Solvers at 850-574-TIPS.

Revell said investigators remain focused on determining what led to the violence and identifying everyone responsible.

“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.”

No fatalities had been reported as of Sunday morning. The investigation remains active, and authorities cautioned that the victims’ conditions and other details could change as additional information becomes available.