FAMU Homecoming Shooting Leaves 12 Injured, Including Six Children, as Police Investigate Violence Near Bragg Stadium
FAMU Homecoming Shooting Leaves 12 Injured, Including Six Children, as Police Investigate Violence Near Bragg Stadium
TALLAHASSEE, FL — October 25, 2026 — News Blend 360
What began as a weekend of celebration at Florida A&M University ended in tragedy Saturday night when gunfire erupted near Bragg Memorial Stadium, injuring 12 people, including six minors, and sending shockwaves through the university community.
The shooting occurred shortly before 8 p.m. on October 24 near Perry Street and Manatee Street, just hours after thousands of students, alumni and visitors gathered for the university's annual homecoming football game.
According to Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell, 11 people suffered gunshot wounds, while another person was injured while attempting to escape the violence. Three victims sustained serious injuries, including one reported in critical condition.
The youngest victim was just 11 years old.
Authorities believe a physical confrontation involving two or three individuals may have preceded the shooting. However, investigators have not established a definitive motive, and no arrests had been announced in the initial police updates.
For a university community that had spent the week celebrating its history and traditions, the violence transformed a highly anticipated homecoming weekend into an evening of uncertainty, emergency response and concern for the injured.
Gunfire Erupts Near Bragg Memorial Stadium
The violence unfolded in an area that had been bustling with activity throughout Saturday.
Florida A&M, one of the nation's historically Black universities, had welcomed alumni, families and supporters to Tallahassee for its annual homecoming festivities.
Earlier in the day, the Rattlers faced the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in a Southwestern Athletic Conference football matchup, ultimately falling 31–28.
The game was one of the weekend's major attractions, bringing together generations of FAMU supporters.
But as evening approached, the atmosphere changed dramatically.
Police say officers responded to reports of gunfire near Perry Street, a short distance from the stadium. Witnesses described hearing shots and seeing people running for safety.
The sudden eruption of violence created confusion as people attempted to determine where the danger was coming from and how to escape.
Emergency responders moved into the area while police began securing the scene, assisting victims and searching for information about those responsible.
Investigators have not confirmed that the shooting was directly connected to the football game or that the people involved were attending an official university event.
Six Children Among the Injured
One of the most disturbing aspects of the shooting is the number of young people caught in the violence.
Police confirmed that six of the 12 injured individuals were juveniles, with the youngest only 11 years old.
The remaining six victims were adults.
At least one of those injured is believed to be a FAMU student, according to the police chief.
Authorities reported that three victims suffered serious injuries, while others were being treated for less severe wounds. By Sunday morning, five victims had reportedly been released from the hospital, six remained hospitalized and one of those hospitalized was still in critical condition.
The fact that children were among those injured has intensified the emotional impact of the shooting.
Homecoming celebrations often attract entire families, including parents, grandparents and children who participate in university traditions alongside students and alumni.
The presence of young victims underscores how quickly violence in a crowded public setting can affect people who may have had no involvement in the confrontation that preceded it.
FAMU Issues Emergency Shelter-in-Place Alert
At approximately 8:40 p.m. Saturday, Florida A&M University issued an emergency notification warning individuals near Bragg Memorial Stadium and Perry Street to avoid the area or shelter in place.
The university's alert came as law enforcement officers responded to the shooting and worked to secure the surrounding streets.
The warning was especially significant because of the large number of people who had traveled to the area for homecoming activities.
Florida State University also issued an emergency message later that evening, advising members of its Tallahassee campus community to remain indoors and stay alert while police investigated the nearby shooting.
FAMU subsequently released a statement expressing sympathy for those affected and emphasizing that the university campus remained safe.
The institution urged individuals to stay away from the investigation area so law enforcement personnel could continue their work.
The distinction between the shooting location and the university campus remains important. Although the incident occurred near Bragg Memorial Stadium, authorities have not established that the shooting took place inside the stadium or was connected to an official FAMU function.
Police Investigate Possible Altercation Before Shooting
Investigators are examining whether an argument or physical fight escalated into gunfire.
Chief Revell said preliminary findings suggested a confrontation involving two or three people before shots were fired.
However, authorities have not publicly identified the individuals involved in that confrontation or confirmed who fired the shots.
The Tallahassee Police Department's violent crimes investigators are working to establish the sequence of events, identify those responsible and determine whether additional individuals were involved.
Investigators are also expected to examine witness accounts and any available surveillance or cellphone footage that could help reconstruct the shooting.
Police have described the incident as appearing isolated, although the investigation remains active.
No arrests or named suspects had been announced in the early Sunday reports.
A Homecoming Celebration Overshadowed by Violence
For Florida A&M University, homecoming is more than a football game.
It is an annual gathering that brings together alumni, current students, former classmates, families and supporters from across the country.
The celebration represents the university's enduring cultural significance, its traditions and the connections shared by generations of Rattlers.
This year's homecoming theme, "There's No Place Like The Hill," reflected the deep attachment many alumni feel toward the Tallahassee campus.
Saturday's schedule included a homecoming parade, the football game and additional activities that brought large crowds into the surrounding community.
The shooting now casts a shadow over a weekend intended to celebrate those connections.
It also raises questions about how public safety can be maintained during large events where university activities intersect with nearby streets, businesses and privately organized gatherings.
Those questions will likely become part of the broader community conversation as investigators establish what happened.
Community Leaders Respond to the Tragedy
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell expressed deep concern over the violence and the injuries sustained by children and adults.
During his remarks following the shooting, Revell said he was devastated by what had occurred.
He also recognized the actions of officers who assisted victims in the immediate aftermath of the gunfire.
Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey expressed solidarity with the university community, describing the shooting as a heartbreaking tragedy and offering support to those affected.
The response reflects the close relationship between Florida A&M and the city of Tallahassee, where the university is a major educational, cultural and economic institution.
For residents, students and alumni, the consequences extend beyond the immediate crime scene.
The violence has left families waiting for medical updates, witnesses processing frightening experiences and a university community confronting the reality that a celebration was interrupted by gunfire.
The Broader Challenge of Public Safety at Major Events
The shooting also brings renewed attention to the challenges of protecting large crowds during major university celebrations.
Homecoming weekends often involve multiple events taking place across different locations, including stadiums, entertainment venues, public streets and privately organized parties.
While campus police and municipal law enforcement may coordinate security efforts, activities outside official university venues can present additional challenges.
The FAMU shooting illustrates the speed with which an apparent personal confrontation can become a broader public safety emergency when firearms are involved.
Determining whether existing security arrangements were sufficient will require a fuller understanding of the shooting, including where it began, who was involved and what preventive measures were in place.
At this stage, there is no verified evidence establishing that a particular security failure caused the incident.
What Happens Next?
The Tallahassee Police Department continues to investigate the shooting and is asking witnesses or anyone with information to contact authorities.
Detectives will need to determine who fired the shots, what prompted the confrontation and whether the victims were targeted or injured as bystanders.
Additional updates are expected as investigators gather evidence and officials provide further information about the victims' conditions.
Anyone with information can contact the Tallahassee Police Department at 850-891-2000 or Crime Solvers at 850-574-TIPS.
For Florida A&M, the immediate priority remains the well-being of those injured and the wider university community.
A weekend built around reunion, celebration and school spirit has instead become a painful reminder of the consequences of gun violence in crowded public spaces.
As the investigation continues, families are seeking answers, a community is offering support and authorities face the urgent task of determining who was responsible.
News Blend 360 will continue following this developing story as additional verified information becomes available.
© 2026 News Blend 360. Original news reporting and analysis based on publicly available law enforcement statements, university communications and verified reporting.
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