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4 arrested in Ethan Pritchard shooting
Four people have been arrested in connection with the shooting of Florida State linebacker Ethan Pritchard, who remains in critical but stable condition at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Multiple people have now been arrested in connection to the shooting of Florida State University (FSU) football player Ethan Pritchard, according to Gadsden County Sheriff Morris A. Young.
The Gadsden County Sheriff's Office (GCSO) has not yet released any additional details. However, officials plan to address the media and provide updates at a press conference at 4 p.m.
What happened to Ethan Pritchard?
The backstory:
Four people have been arrested in connection with the shooting of Florida State linebacker Ethan Pritchard, who remains in critical but stable condition at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.
Authorities say Pritchard was ambushed outside an apartment complex in Havana, Florida, on Aug. 31, while driving his aunt home after the Seminoles' upset win over Alabama. He was struck in the back of the head by gunfire.
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An investigation into the shooting by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the GCSO is ongoing.
Pritchard is currently in stable condition and continuing to recover.
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Arrests in shooting of FSU football player Ethan Pritchard
Multiple people have been arrested in connection to the shooting of Florida State University (FSU) football player Ethan Pritchard.
Investigators believe the shooting was a case of mistaken identity, but they have not released details about why Pritchard was targeted or whether additional suspects may be involved. It is also unclear whether the three men and one juvenile arrested have retained attorneys or entered pleas.
Who are the suspects?
Arrestees and Charges:
FDLE Tallahassee agents, FDLE Special Operations Team, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the Havana Police Department conducted search warrants in Havana and Woodville, and three suspects were arrested in connection to the shooting. One juvenile suspect surrendered to the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office hours later.
Jayden Bodison, 22, of Woodville, Caron Miller, 18, of Havana, a 16-year-old boy from Havana were arrested and each charged with three counts of attempted murder, and one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle.
Jayden Bodison, 22, of Woodville, Caron Miller, 18, of Havana, a 16-year-old boy from Havana were arrested and each charged with three counts of attempted murder, and one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle.
Germany Atkins, 23, of Havana, was arrested on a violation of probation charge.
Germany Atkins, 23, of Havana, was arrested on a violation of probation charge.
Miller and Atkins were transported to Gadsden County Jail, and Bodison was transported to Leon County Jail, all without incident. The juvenile was booked into the Leon County Juvenile Detention Center.
At their first appearances on Thursday, Miller, Atkins and Bodison were ordered held on no bond. Meanwhile, the juvenile was remanded to Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) custody on a no-release hold.
What they're saying:
The case has gripped the FSU community, where players, coaches, and fans have rallied behind Pritchard and his family.
"Ethan was not doing anything wrong when he was ambushed," FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said. "He was simply dropping off his aunt and a child."
"I recruited him for years, got a chance to watch him grow," FSU coach Mike Norvell said. "The way that he plays the game, it’s a passion, energy. He loves it, absolutely loves it. To know that right now that’s taken away from him in a senseless act ... I do believe that God has his hand over Ethan and this football team."
Pritchard’s father, Earl, said he wanted to honor his son by standing on the sideline. "I know where my boy wants to be, so I’m going to go stand in his place for him," he told Norvell.
What you can do:
A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $128,000 to help Pritchard's family with medical and travel expenses. Supporters can contribute to the GoFundMe by clicking the link to donate here.
Who is Ethan Pritchard?
Dig deeper:
Pritchard, a 6-foot-2, 224-pound freshman from Sanford, had been recruited to Florida State for his energy and passion on the field. He did not play in FSU’s season-opening win over Alabama on Aug. 30, just one day before the shooting. His rise as a promising young athlete has been interrupted by what officials describe as a "senseless act" of violence.
Players wore armbands with the No. 35 for Ethan Pritchard at last Saturday's game versus East Texas A&M.
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Seminole High honors former player, Ethan Pritchard
Seminole High School rallied Friday night around former linebacker Ethan Pritchard, who remains hospitalized after being shot last weekend.
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Gadsden County Sheriff Morris A. Young and gathered from previous reporting.