A homecoming weekend in Tallahassee took a troubling turn when gunfire erupted near Florida A&M University, leaving police investigating what happened during an evening that had drawn students, alumni and visitors to the area. The incident occurred close to Bragg Memorial Stadium, where FAMU had hosted its homecoming football game earlier that Saturday.
As investigators began piecing together the events of October 24, questions emerged about a confrontation that reportedly preceded the shooting, the condition of those injured and whether anyone would be identified as responsible. Authorities have described the investigation as ongoing, with key details about the circumstances and motive still unresolved.
What Happened in the FAMU Homecoming Shooting?
The Tallahassee Police Department responded to a shooting shortly before 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026, near the intersection of Perry Street and Manatee Street in Tallahassee, Florida. The location is close to Bragg Memorial Stadium and the Florida A&M University campus.
The shooting happened during FAMU’s homecoming weekend, following the university’s football game against the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The game, featuring the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions, began at approximately 3 p.m. and ended around 6 p.m., according to reporting citing police information.
Police initially said that the number of people injured and the severity of their injuries were not immediately known. As officers and investigators gathered information, authorities confirmed that 12 people had been injured.
The incident occurred near the university after the football game, but authorities have not established that the game or an official university event directly caused or was connected to the violence.
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FAMU Shooting: Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Date | Saturday, October 24, 2026 |
| Approximate time | Shortly before 8 p.m. |
| Location | Near Perry Street and Manatee Street, Tallahassee, Florida |
| Nearby landmark | Bragg Memorial Stadium and the FAMU campus |
| Total people injured | 12 |
| Victims with gunshot wounds | 11 |
| Other injury | One person hurt while fleeing |
| Juveniles injured | Six |
| Youngest victim | 11 years old |
| Hospital update by Sunday morning | Five released, six still hospitalized |
| Critical condition | One hospitalized victim |
| Fatalities reported | None in the latest available update |
| Investigating agency | Tallahassee Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit |
| Arrests announced | None as of the latest available Sunday update |
| Motive | Not established |
Twelve People Injured, Including Six Juveniles
The number of people hurt became clearer as police released further details. According to the Tallahassee Police Department, 11 of the 12 victims sustained gunshot wounds, while the remaining person was injured while attempting to flee the scene.
Police Chief Lawrence Revell said the person injured while escaping was the grandmother of one of the people who had been shot.
Authorities said the victims included six adults and six juveniles. The youngest injured person was just 11 years old, bringing particular attention to the impact of the shooting on children.
Chief Revell acknowledged the gravity of the situation, saying:
โIt is especially heartbreaking to know that children are among those injured.โ
Police have not publicly identified the victims. Revell also said investigators believed that one of the victims was a FAMU student, although that information had not been accompanied by a public identification.
The department’s initial statement indicated that at least three shooting victims had sustained serious injuries. The full circumstances surrounding each person’s injuries have not been publicly disclosed.
Latest Update on the Victims’ Conditions
The first reports from police late Saturday night indicated that at least three victims had suffered serious injuries, while the other nine were described as stable.
By Sunday morning, the reported hospital figures had changed. According to the Tallahassee Police Department and WCTV, five of the 12 injured people had been released from hospital care, while six remained hospitalised. One of those still hospitalised was in critical condition.
The latest reports available at the time of writing did not report any fatalities. WCTV also reported that no deaths had been recorded in connection with the shooting.
Authorities have not released additional medical details about individual victims. Their conditions and other information may be updated as officials provide further information.
Police Say an Altercation Preceded the Gunfire
Investigators are still working to establish what happened before the shooting and what prompted the violence.
According to the Tallahassee Police Department, preliminary information indicates that a physical altercation occurred before the gunfire. During an overnight press conference, Chief Revell said investigators believed the confrontation involved two or three people.
However, the precise circumstances of that altercation remain unclear. Police have not established what caused the confrontation, what happened immediately before the shots were fired or whether more than one shooter was involved.
Authorities have also not announced a motive.
The Associated Press reported that the available information did not establish whether the incident was directly connected to Florida A&M University or the football game. Although the shooting occurred near campus shortly after the homecoming game, its timing and location alone do not establish a direct connection to university activities.
Chief Revell described the incident as appearing to be isolated based on the information available during the early investigation. That assessment remains preliminary as detectives continue gathering evidence.
No Arrests or Person of Interest Announced
As of the latest available update on Sunday, police had made no arrests and had not identified a person of interest in connection with the shooting.
The Tallahassee Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit is leading the investigation. Detectives are working to reconstruct the events, identify those responsible and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police have continued collecting evidence and reviewing information that could help establish what happened near Perry Street and Manatee Street.
In a statement released Sunday, Chief Revell outlined the department’s commitment to the investigation:
โWe will determine what happened, identify those responsible, and get answers for all of the victims, their families and everyone impacted by this tragedy.โ
No suspect has been publicly named, and authorities have not announced any charges in connection with the incident.
Officers Were Already in the Area During Homecoming Weekend
Chief Revell said approximately two dozen officers were already in the area when the shooting occurred. Their presence was related to the large number of people in Tallahassee for the homecoming weekend.
Following the incident, officers responded to the scene, assisted injured people and worked to secure the area.
In its initial statement, the Tallahassee Police Department said officers carried victims to safety and transported them to hospitals while securing the scene.
Revell expressed his reaction during the overnight press conference, saying:
โI stand before you devastated.โ
He also spoke about the effect of the shooting on the families involved.
The incident prompted an urgent police response during a weekend when students, alumni and visitors were in the area for FAMU-related activities. However, investigators have not said that the shooting took place as part of an official homecoming event.
FAMU Issues Alert and Says Campus Remains Safe
Florida A&M University issued an alert following the shooting and urged people to avoid the affected area while law enforcement conducted its investigation.
The university said the shooting occurred near campus on Perry Street but emphasised that the campus itself remained safe.
In its statement, FAMU said:
โWhile the campus remains safe, individuals are encouraged to avoid the area to allow law enforcement to conduct its investigation.โ
The university also expressed sympathy for the victims and everyone affected by the incident.
The alert came during FAMU’s homecoming weekend, when university activities and the football game had brought students, alumni and visitors to the area. Nevertheless, neither the timing nor the proximity to the campus establishes that the shooting was directly connected to those activities.
Police continue to investigate the circumstances, and the university’s statement encouraged people to stay away from the area to allow officers to carry out their work.
Police Ask Witnesses to Share Information
The Tallahassee Police Department is urging anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information that could help investigators to come forward. Authorities have emphasised that even details that might appear minor could assist the investigation.
People with information can contact the department’s dedicated tip number at 850-891-4610. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Solvers at 850-574-TIPS.
WCTV reported that authorities also have an evidence-submission portal where members of the public can provide photographs, videos and other potentially relevant material.
Chief Revell appealed to the community for assistance, saying:
โWe need our communityโs help. No detail is too small, and no piece of information should go unreported.โ
The case remains an active and ongoing investigation as detectives continue gathering evidence and seeking information about the events leading up to the shooting.
What Police Know โ and What Remains Unanswered
Authorities have confirmed that 12 people were injured, including six juveniles, and that 11 sustained gunshot wounds. The twelfth person was hurt while fleeing the scene. The youngest victim was 11 years old.
By Sunday morning, five victims had been released from hospital care, six remained hospitalised and one of those hospitalised was in critical condition. No fatalities had been reported in the latest available update.
Police have also said that a physical altercation apparently took place before the shooting. However, investigators have not established what caused the confrontation, who fired the shots, whether more than one shooter was involved or what ultimately led to the violence.
No arrests or person of interest had been announced as of the latest Sunday update, and the motive remains unknown.
These unanswered questions are central to the ongoing work of the Tallahassee Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit. Further information may emerge as detectives interview witnesses, review evidence and establish a clearer account of the incident.
Conclusion
The shooting near Florida A&M University’s Bragg Memorial Stadium left 12 people injured during the university’s October 24 homecoming weekend, including six juveniles and an 11-year-old child. While five victims had been released from hospital care by Sunday morning, six remained hospitalised, including one person in critical condition. No fatalities had been reported.
Investigators have identified a preliminary altercation before the gunfire but have not announced a motive, arrests or a person of interest. As the investigation continues, Tallahassee police are asking witnesses and members of the public with relevant information to come forward.
For now, the circumstances that led to the shooting remain unresolved, and authorities continue working to establish what happened and identify those responsible.
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Early reports in an active investigation may leave important questions unanswered as authorities gather evidence. Our Bend school shooting investigation explainer covers reporting about a separate investigation.
Source and Research Disclaimer
This article has been prepared based on thorough research of the official statement and news reports listed below. It reflects the information available in those provided sources at the time of writing and does not imply independent verification beyond that material. The investigation remains active, and details, including victims’ medical conditions and investigative findings, may change as authorities release further updates.
Sources
- Tallahassee Police Department: Tallahassee Police Investigating Shooting Near Perry and Manatee Streets
- WCTV: TPD Reports 12 Injured in Shooting on Perry Street, Including Six Minors
- WCTV: TPD Asks the Public for Help in Perry Street Shooting Investigation
- Associated Press: At Least 12 People Injured in Shooting Near a Football Stadium in Florida
- Reuters: Eleven Shot Near Florida A&M University in Tallahassee
- UPI: Shooting After Florida A&M Homecoming Game Injures 12, Including Minors
- The Washington Post: 12 People, Including Six Minors, Injured in Shooting Near Florida University Stadium
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