On a Saturday night during Homecoming Week, the festive atmosphere surrounding Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) was shattered by sudden violence. Near the university’s Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, what was meant to be a weekend of tradition and community celebration quickly turned into a scene of panic. A physical altercation broke out in the area, spiraling into a shooting that sent shockwaves across the campus and the broader city.
In total, 12 people were injured during the incident. For a university community gathered to honor its heritage and bring together students, alumni, and local residents, the eruption of gunfire near one of its primary athletic landmarks transformed a night of celebration into a tragedy.
The sequence of events unfolded rapidly when a physical scuffle broke out near Bragg Memorial Stadium. According to details released by the Tallahassee Police Department, that physical altercation directly preceded the shooting. As the dispute escalated, gunfire erupted into the crowd.
Authorities confirmed that at least three of the victims were left in critical condition as a result of the violence.
When the shooting ceased, 11 individuals had sustained gunshot wounds, while one person was injured during the physical scuffle itself. The victims spanned a wide age range, but what drew immediate outrage and grief from municipal leadership and law enforcement was the presence of young people among the casualties.
BREAKING 🚨🚨 #Tallahassee / #Florida Multiple Victims reported after a shooting at Florida A&M University (FAMU) homecoming event. https://t.co/24UqVMPos9
As gunshots rang out near the university stadium, law enforcement officers responded immediately to the chaotic scene. Before the surrounding area could be fully swept and secured, officers moved directly into harm's way to render emergency aid and evacuate the wounded.
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence E. Revell commended the direct actions taken by responding personnel in those crucial early moments. "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 stated. "Their actions were nothing short of heroic and reflect the courage and compassion our officers bring to this community every day."
Chief Revell also expressed deep sorrow over the youth of so many victims caught in the gunfire, noting, "It is extremely sad to know that there are children among the injured."
Emergency medical teams worked quickly to assess and treat the 12 victims across local medical facilities. Authorities confirmed that at least three of the victims were left in critical condition as a result of the violence. Meanwhile, nine other victims were listed in stable condition as they received ongoing care.
The range of injuries—from severe gunshot trauma requiring immediate critical care to harm suffered during the physical scuffle—underscored the sudden intensity of the chaos that took place outside the stadium perimeter.
🚨 #UPDATE: At least 12 people have been hurt in a mass shooting near Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida. Police say officers responded just before 8 p.m. to a shooting at the intersection of Perry Street and Manatee Street, near FAMU’s Bragg Memorial Stadium. At least 11 victims suffered gunshot wounds. Six of the victims are juveniles, with the youngest reported to be just 11 years old. At least three victims are in serious condition, including one who is listed in critical condition. Authorities have not yet said what led to the shooting. The investigation is ongoing.
In the hours following the tragedy, city leaders and university administrators issued statements addressing the university community and the public at large. Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey expressed the city's shared grief and pledged solidarity with the university.
"This is a truly horrific and heartbreaking tragedy," Mayor Dailey said. "Tonight and in the days ahead, the FAMU family is not alone. Our entire community stands with you."
Florida A&M University similarly underscored its focus on safety and support for its campus members. In an official statement, the university declared that "the safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff remains our highest priority" as students, faculty, and alumni processed the violent event that occurred on the edges of their homecoming festivities.
As Tallahassee grapples with the fallout of the shooting, law enforcement agencies are continuing to work to determine precisely how the physical dispute escalated and who opened fire near the stadium. The Tallahassee Police Department confirmed that an investigation into the incident remains active and ongoing.
As of the latest official update, no arrests have been made in connection with the attack. Investigators continue to gather evidence and examine the events leading up to the scuffle, seeking answers and accountability for a night that left 12 people injured near the FAMU campus.
BREAKING: At least 11 people, half of them juveniles, were shot in a mass shooting near Florida A&M University's football stadium amid homecoming weekend. https://t.co/TUKd4HQ0Ng