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Florida State football player Ethan Pritchard, who was shot and critically injured nearly six weeks ago, has been released from the hospital
In a video shared to Instagram, the entire Seminoles football team could be seen cheering and clapping as Pritchard was transferred into an ambulance to be taken to a rehabilitation centerLaw enforcement previously confirmed that four suspects had been taken into custody, and described the shooting as a case of mistaken identity
Florida State football player Ethan Pritchard, who was shot and critically injured nearly six weeks ago, has been released from the hospital.
In a video shared to Instagram on Thursday, Oct. 9, by quarterback Tommy Castellanos, the entire Seminoles football team could be seen standing outside a set of hospital doors, cheering and clapping as Pritchard was wheeled in a hospital bed to a waiting ambulance.
A freshman linebacker for the Seminoles, Pritchard was shot on Aug. 31 near Tallahassee, Fla., hours after the team won its first game of the season over Alabama.
On Sept. 10, police arrested four suspects — ages 23, 22, 18 and 16 — in connection to the shooting.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) said at the time that Pritchard was driving in a neighborhood with two family members, one of whom was a child, when the car they were in was shot multiple times. Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young said investigators believe the shooting was a case of mistaken identity, the Associated Press reported.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE after his son’s release from the hospital, Pritchard’s father thanked the team, as well as the coaching staff and his doctors, for supporting the family amid the linebacker’s recovery.
“I am so thankful for everyone who has prayed for my son,” Earl Pritchard said. “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.”
The proud dad also thanked Florida State coach Mike Norvell for checking in on his son every day and making numerous visits to the hospital.
“His players and staff have continued to make us feel part of the team,” Earl added. “I can’t fully express how much those moments have meant to me and Ethan.”
In a statement shared to X, Florida State confirmed that Ethan is alert, responsive and able to communicate. He is being moved from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital to Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville for the next stage in his recovery.
“We are thankful for the efforts, thoughts and prayers of so many people and ask that you continue to support Ethan and his family as this process continues,” the school said in a statement.
Pritchard walks to the stadium before a game between Florida State and Duke, on Oct. 21, 2023.
Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP Photo
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The FDLE previously said that three of the suspects were each charged with three counts of attempted murder, and one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle. The fourth suspect was arrested on a charge of violating probation.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the university released a statement confirming the incident and sharing a message on behalf of Ethan’s family.
“The Pritchard family is thankful for the support from so many people, as well as the care from first responders and medical professionals, and asks that their privacy be respected at this time,” the statement read.
In his statement shared with PEOPLE, Earl Pritchard also thanked Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young and the FDLE for investigating the incident.
“I can’t say enough about the support we have received from our hometown and all of Seminole County,” he continued, adding, “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,” he finished.