12 Injured, Six Of Them Children, In Shooting Near Florida A&M Campus
At least 12 people, including six children, were injured in a shooting on Saturday near a football stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, during homecoming weekend at Florida A&M University, authorities said.
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell told reporters that no arrests had been made in connection with the incident.
In a statement, the police said their preliminary investigation indicated that a fight broke out before the shooting. The gunfire followed a football game and took place in a crowded area.
According to the police, 11 of the injured people sustained gunshot wounds, while at least three victims were reported to be seriously hurt. The remaining injuries were not immediately detailed by officials.
The university said in a post on social media that the shooting occurred near its campus, and that the campus itself remained safe. It did not elaborate on the sequence of events.
Homecoming weekends at American universities typically draw large crowds of students, alumni and families to campuses and surrounding neighbourhoods, with football games as the centrepiece of the celebrations. Saturday's gathering in Tallahassee followed that pattern, with the stadium area and nearby streets busy at the time of the incident.
Officials have not publicly identified a suspect, and the police have not said whether they are searching for a specific individual. The investigation is continuing, and the accounts provided so far are preliminary.
The shooting adds to a long-running debate in the United States over gun violence and public safety at large gatherings, including sporting events, festivals and places of worship. Incidents in crowded public spaces have repeatedly prompted local authorities to review security arrangements and emergency response protocols.
Florida A&M University is a historically Black institution in the state capital, and its homecoming celebrations are among the most widely attended events in the university's calendar, drawing visitors from across the region.
Details of the victims' identities, their ages and the exact location of the shooting within the stadium vicinity had not been released at the time of reporting. Hospitals treating the injured have not issued statements on the condition of those admitted.
This report is based on statements from the Tallahassee Police Department, Chief Lawrence Revell and Florida A&M University. As the investigation is at an early stage, figures and accounts may be revised by authorities. Readers are advised to follow official updates for the latest confirmed information.
