What was supposed to be a celebratory homecoming weekend turned into a living nightmare. A violent shooting erupted near the campus of Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, leaving 12 people injured, including six children as young as 11 years old.
According to Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell, the chaos broke out around 8:00 PM on Saturday near the intersection of Perry and Manatee streets—just steps away from FAMU’s Bragg Memorial Stadium—following an intense physical altercation between multiple individuals. This tragedy unfolded during what should have been a time of Florida A&M University (FAMU) pride and celebration.
INSIDE THE SHOOTING: CHILDREN TRAMPLED & GRAPHIC SCENES
While thousands gathered to celebrate FAMU’s homecoming festivities, gunfire suddenly rang out, causing mass panic and chaos that no one should ever have to experience:
- Youngest Victim Is Just 11: Authorities confirmed that 11 victims suffered gunshot wounds. Out of the 12 total injured, six are adults and six are juveniles, with the youngest victim being an 11-year-old child.
- Grandmother Injured Fleeing: The 12th victim—a grandmother of one of the children—was injured while frantically trying to run away from the gunfire to safety.
- Six Remain Hospitalized: In a Sunday morning update, Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) revealed that six victims remain hospitalized, with at least one person remaining in critical condition.
- No Arrests Made Yet: As of Sunday morning, law enforcement confirmed that no arrests have been announced, and homicide detectives are working around the clock to identify the shooters responsible.
As news of the terrifying tragedy spread across social media, people responded with heartfelt prayers and intense anger. Students and locals who were on the scene shared eyewitness accounts that cut to the heart of this senseless violence.
- Terrified Eyewitness Accounts: Students recounted the horrifying moment the shots rang out. “We heard a couple of gunshots and a crowd of people running. I got trampled a little, but as I got up, I turned to my right and saw a person laid out on the ground,” FAMU student Jayden Dubois shared.
- Outrage Over Violence Near Children: Online commentators expressed sheer heartbreak and anger that children were caught in the crossfire during a university celebration: “An 11-year-old child at a homecoming game getting shot?! When will this stop? Praying so hard for those kids and FAMU!”
- Differentiating Partygoers From Students: Local attendees took to social media to clarify that the altercation on Perry Street involved outside crowds rather than the university itself, with one user sharing: “I went to look down Perry Street after the game and saw the crowd and made a U-turn immediately… Praying for everyone involved!”
“To have 12 people hit—including SIX CHILDREN—during what was supposed to be a joyous homecoming weekend is heartbreaking beyond words. Tallahassee police need to catch whoever did this IMMEDIATELY!” — Social Media Commentator
What are your thoughts on this tragic situation near FAMU’s campus? Drop your prayers and thoughts for the victims and their families in the comment section below.
★m★
