SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A GoFundMe page for Ethan Pritchard and his family has already raised over $80,000 in just 24 hours.
The fundraiser, which was started by Seminole High School’s football coach, says that Pritchard was shot while driving his aunt home following FSU’s victory over Alabama. It continues, “tragically, Ethan’s car was mistaken for someone else’s and was fired upon, leaving him critically injured but stable in the hospital.”
News 6 reported Monday that Pritchard, a freshman linebacker at Florida State University and a Sanford native, was shot at an apartment complex in Havana, Florida, over the weekend. The university shared a statement saying Pritchard was in the ICU.
By Thursday afternoon, the online fundraiser had received 987 donations, totaling over $86,000. It states that the money will go directly toward helping Ethan and his family with medical expenses, travel, and the “many needs that arise as they navigate this heartbreaking journey.”
Before he played at FSU, Pritchard was on the football team at Seminole High School. A post on X states there are plans to honor him at Friday night’s game.
#NoleNation WE need your support tomorrow night! We are honoring Ethan Pritchard during the game & will have special limited time, limited quantity T-Shirt for him with all proceeds going directly to his family!
— Bokey Football (@BokeyFootball) September 4, 2025
Please show up and help us support OUR GUY! #BokeyStrong pic.twitter.com/rYLIkhipDz
Our News 6 team featured Pritchard as a Sonic Prep Player of the Week last August when he was hoping to earn a state title for his high school team.
“It’ll mean so much to me, my family, the team, the community, everybody,” Pritchard told News 6. “I want to put a smile on everybody’s face for that.”
Wednesday, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell said he had visited Pritchard at the hospital again and he continues to check in with his family.
“We’re absolutely praying for him every day and just trying to be there for our players, too,” Norvell said.
The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office said the weekend shooting is one of three that have happened recently in the Havana area. They shared video on their Facebook page from a prayer walk Wednesday night.
A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said their investigators are working with FDLE to gather information. So far, no one has been arrested after Pritchard was shot.