Tallahassee authorities have arrested a 15-year-old male in connection with a mass shooting that occurred near Florida A&M University’s Bragg Memorial Stadium over the weekend. The incident, which took place during the height of the university’s homecoming celebrations, resulted in injuries to 12 people and turned a night of planned festivities into a scene of chaos and violence.
The Tallahassee Police Department announced Monday that detectives took the teenager into custody on Sunday. He now faces 11 counts of attempted second-degree murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a delinquent. While the suspect is a minor, the severity of the charges reflects the scale of the violence that erupted just blocks from the campus.
Police Chief Lawrence Revell addressed the community following the arrest, noting the heavy impact the incident has had on the city. “What should have been a weekend of celebration in our community instead became a night of fear and violence for the victims and their families,” Revell said. He emphasized that while the arrest of the 15-year-old is a significant milestone in the investigation, the department’s work is “far from over.”
The shooting broke out at approximately 8 p.m. on Saturday near the intersection of Perry and Manatee streets. This location is in close proximity to Bragg Memorial Stadium, where homecoming crowds had gathered for a football game. The 12 victims included several minors, though police have not released their specific ages or conditions. Investigators noted that while the majority of injuries were caused by gunfire, one person suffered an ankle injury while attempting to flee the area as shots were fired.
Preliminary findings from the investigation suggest that the violence was not a random act of mass shooting but rather the escalation of a localized dispute. Police believe a physical altercation occurred between a group of individuals who knew each other before weapons were drawn. Crucially, investigators stated that none of the 12 victims who were struck or injured appear to have been the intended targets of the shooter, suggesting they were bystanders caught in the crossfire.
In the immediate aftermath of the gunfire, Florida A&M University officials issued an emergency statement urging students, faculty, and visitors to avoid the area surrounding Perry Street. The university clarified that while the shooting happened “near campus,” the university grounds themselves remained secure and safe for the remainder of the evening. “Our hearts are with the victims and everyone affected by tonight’s incident on Perry Street,” the university statement read.
Tallahassee police are continuing to process evidence and interview witnesses. Officials have indicated that additional arrests are possible as they work to identify everyone involved in the initial altercation. Chief Revell reiterated the department’s commitment to securing justice for those affected, stating that police remain focused on holding those responsible accountable and getting answers for every family impacted by the tragedy.
