At Florida A&M University, this year’s homecoming celebrations were overshadowed by gunfire after a shooting near Bragg Memorial Stadium left 12 people injured.
Police on Sunday arrested 15-year-old Anthony Rivers III in connection with the shooting that occurred the day prior. Rivers faces 11 counts of attempted second-degree murder and a charge of possession of a firearm by a delinquent, according to the Tallahassee Police Department’s Monday update .
The shooting occurred shortly after 8 p.m. hours after the FAMU Rattlers faced the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions in their homecoming football game.
According to Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell, who provided an update during a Monday morning press conference, 11 people sustained gunshot wounds, while a 12th suffered an ankle injury while fleeing the scene. Six of the victims were minors, the youngest just 11 years old. At least three people sustained serious injuries, with one remaining in critical condition as of Sunday.
Investigators believe the gunfire followed a physical altercation between individuals who knew one another. Police said none of the victims appeared to have been intended targets, and authorities have not yet established whether the dispute was connected to the football game.
The violence has also left some vendors questioning whether they’ll return for next year’s festivities. Stephanie Walters, who has traveled from Tampa to Tallahassee for nine years to operate HBCU Culture Shop during homecoming, told WCTV that the shooting has made her reconsider.
“You want to be able to have the homecoming traditions but you have to be safe,” Walters said.
The investigation remains active, with police stating additional arrests are possible. Authorities are urging anyone with information, photos or video from the incident to come forward.
