HAVANA, Fla. – Florida State University football player Ethan Pritchard was released from the hospital Thursday after spending more than a month recovering from being shot in the back of the head, according to the university.
The university said Pritchard will be moved to Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville to continue his recovery process. Pritchard, an FSU linebacker, was taken to the hospital in critical condition on Aug. 31.
[WATCH BELOW: Ethan Pritchard’s Seminole County alma mater holds vigil]
His father, Earl Pritchard, released the following statement on his release:
I am so thankful for everyone who has prayed for my son. There have been a lot of ups and downs over these last 39 days, and it is remarkable that Ethan and I were able to leave the hospital together today. I want to especially thank Dr. Albert Lee and his team, the ECMO team and the nurses on the third and fourth floors at TMH for the care and medical expertise they have provided Ethan. Coach Norvell has checked in every day and has been a constant presence visiting us here at the hospital, and his players and staff have continued to make us feel part of the team. I can’t fully express how much those moments have meant to me and Ethan. The Florida State Sports Medicine staff has provided consistent communication and collaboration with the wonderful doctors at TMH.
I can’t say enough about the support we have received from our hometown and all of Seminole County. Coach Karl Calhoun and Seminole High School have created a tremendous support system for me, and I’m truly thankful for the culture we’re part of. I also want to thank Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young and the FDLE for their hard work and dedication to pursuing justice for Ethan. My heart is filled with gratitude for the outpouring of support for so many people, and I’m so appreciative for every single one of you. Ethan has a long journey ahead of him, but I know he will continue to fight and he will do so with the full support of our FSU and Seminole County families and all who have been impacted by his story.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass, Pritchard was “not doing anything wrong” when he was ambushed outside an apartment while dropping off family members.
Four people were later arrested in connection to the shooting: Jayden Bodison, Caron Miller, Germany Atkins and Anthony Glenn.
Pritchard played football at Seminole High School in Sanford before joining FSU.