11 injured in shooting near Florida A&M University stadium during homecoming

Gunfire erupted just before 8 p.m. ET on Oct. 24 near Perry and Manatee streets, behind Bragg Memorial Stadium at Florida A&M University (FAMU). Police said the shooting, which followed a physical altercation involving two or three individuals, wounded 11 people, six of them children, and a 12th person was injured while fleeing. The youngest victim was 11 years old; one of the injured was a FAMU student. By the morning of Oct. 25, five victims had been released from the hospital, while six remained in care, including one in critical condition, according to the Tallahassee Police Department.

"It is especially heartbreaking to know that children are among those injured," Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said at a news conference.

No arrests had been made and no suspects had been identified as of Sunday morning. Investigators said the crowd was dense, hindering emergency responders; officers had to carry victims in their arms because ambulances could not reach the scene. The police declared the area secure at about 9:45 p.m. ET, and FAMU advised people to avoid the stadium and surrounding streets or to shelter in place.

The incident occurred hours after a homecoming football game that drew more than 20,000 fans to watch the Rattlers lose to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 31-28. The city, which hosts multiple university events, was also busy with a Florida State University game earlier in the day and Halloween celebrations.

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey described the shooting as a "truly horrific and heartbreaking tragedy" on social media, adding that the community stands with the FAMU family.

Detectives, sergeants and forensic teams continued to process the scene in the early hours of Oct. 25, with the department’s Violent Crimes Unit leading the investigation. No motive has been released, and officials said they are working to identify those responsible.