Teen faces 11 counts after FAMU homecoming shooting
Twelve people, including six children, were injured near the football stadium during a celebration on Saturday.
By Nia Foster ·
Anthony Rivers III, 15, is facing 11 counts of attempted second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a delinquent following an arrest by the Tallahassee Police Department. The charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred last weekend near the Florida A&M University football stadium.
During homecoming celebrations, hundreds of people gathered in the area. Twelve individuals sustained injuries in the incident. Eleven victims suffered gunshot wounds, while one person injured an ankle while running from the scene. WCTV reported that the youngest victim was 11 years old. Leon County Schools confirmed that four of its students were among those hurt.
Police stated that the shooting followed a physical altercation between individuals who knew each other. Authorities noted that none of the victims appear to have been the intended targets. Chief of Police Lawrence Revell described the event as a night of fear and violence for the community. He said the arrest is a step forward but that the work is not finished.
Six victims remain hospitalized, while five have been discharged. Three people suffered serious injuries. One hospitalized patient is being treated for critical injuries, while the others are in stable condition. No one was fatally injured in the shooting. The investigation is ongoing, and police said more arrests could happen in the coming days.
Leon County Schools announced that counselors are available at all its schools for students impacted by the event. The district stated that its schools reflect the communities they serve and that the impact of neighborhood tragedies is often felt in classrooms. President Marva Johnson of Florida A&M University expressed outrage and sadness over the incident in a video released on Sunday. She said the university is praying for the recovery of the victims in body, mind, and spirit.
Quinn Gray, the university's head coach, addressed the shooting in a Facebook post. He stated that the violence has to stop and that homecoming is about family and celebration. Gray wrote that no one should leave the celebration in an ambulance and no child should ever be caught in gunfire. The university and local officials continue to support the families affected by the event.
Source: WOLB
