Teen Arrested After Shooting Near FAMU Injures 12; Investigation Remains Open

Police announce arrest in Perry Street shooting

Tallahassee police have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with a shooting near Florida A&M University that injured 12 people during homecoming weekend. The department announced Monday, Oct. 26, that detectives made the arrest Sunday following Saturday night’s gunfire near Perry and Manatee streets. Police said the teen faces 11 counts of attempted second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a delinquent. ^[1]

Investigators believe a physical confrontation preceded the shooting. WCTV reported that Chief Lawrence Revell said the injured did not appear to have been the intended targets. Officials initially described an altercation between two or three people, according to the station. Those accounts are preliminary findings from the investigation, rather than a complete reconstruction of what happened. ^[2]

What is known about the injured and the location

The shooting occurred at about 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, near Bragg Memorial Stadium, where Florida A&M had hosted a homecoming football game. The Associated Press reported that the area was crowded after the game. The university said the incident happened near its campus and that the campus remained safe; that account places the shooting nearby rather than inside the stadium. ^[3]

Police identified 12 injured people, six adults and six juveniles. Eleven had gunshot wounds, while the other person suffered an ankle injury while escaping the gunfire, according to the department. The total therefore includes both shooting injuries and an injury sustained while fleeing. Police reported no deaths in their Sunday update, but Monday’s release did not provide a new patient-by-patient condition report. ^[1]

Local station WCTV reported that the youngest injured person was 11. Its coverage also described the university’s response: FAMU President Marva B. Johnson said in a Sunday video message that the school was giving its full support to the police investigation. WCTV located Perry Street a short distance from Bragg Memorial Stadium and reported that the gunfire followed an altercation between two or three people, according to officials’ early findings. ^[2]

Investigation continues after the arrest

WCTV’s Monday report distinguished the newly announced arrest from the initial response over the weekend, when officers and investigators were still establishing what had happened. Its account said the arrest followed consultation with the state attorney. The announcement describes allegations against the teen, not a finding of guilt, and it does not settle the remaining questions about the sequence of the confrontation and gunfire. ^[2]

Police said detectives are continuing to assess evidence and pursue leads. The department is requesting information, photographs and video from the area through its dedicated tip line and online evidence portal. The next confirmed developments to watch are additional police updates, any further arrests and official information on the injured; none should be assumed from the arrest announcement alone. ^[1]