Eleven people were shot near Florida A&M University during homecoming weekend after a fight turned into gunfire, police said.
Story Snapshot
- Tallahassee police reported 11 gunshot victims near Bragg Memorial Stadium after the homecoming game.
- Officers said a fight among a small group came before the shooting.
- Florida A&M University issued a shelter-in-place alert and told people to avoid the area.
- No arrests were announced as investigators worked to identify suspects.
Police Confirm Mass Shooting Near Stadium
Tallahassee Police Department officers said gunfire broke out Saturday night on Perry Street near Manatee Street, by Bragg Memorial Stadium, soon after Florida A&M University’s homecoming football game ended. Police later said 11 people suffered gunshot wounds. A twelfth person was injured while fleeing, according to related reporting, though police kept the gunshot count at 11. Early alerts from police did not list a victim total, reflecting the chaos in the first hour.
Chief Lawrence Revell described the incident as an isolated event that followed a dispute among two or three people, which then escalated into gunfire. Officers and medics rushed victims to local hospitals. Police did not announce fatalities in the initial updates. Investigators closed nearby streets, collected shell casings, and pulled camera footage from the area. Detectives asked witnesses to come forward with videos or tips to help confirm the sequence of events.
University Issues Safety Alert and Locks Down Area
Florida A&M University sent a safety alert instructing students, alumni, and visitors to avoid the stadium area or shelter in place as police secured the scene. The alert confirmed active police operations near Bragg Memorial Stadium and Perry Street. That message, pushed during crowded homecoming events, signaled a major response. The university did not release victim details at that time. Campus leaders focused on keeping people away from the area while officers conducted the investigation.
Initial posts from the Tallahassee Police Department said an investigation was underway but did not yet confirm the number of victims or the severity of injuries. That is common in the first phase of a mass-casualty response, when medics treat patients and gather counts from multiple sites. Later accounts aligned on 11 people shot and one additional injury during the rush to escape. Police said no suspects had been named publicly and the case remained active.
Why This Matters Beyond One Night
Homecoming weekends draw large crowds, heavy traffic, and street parties near campus. That mix raises security challenges that stretch campus and city resources. Researchers note there is no single rule for labeling mass shootings. Some groups count people shot, while others count only those killed. The Gun Violence Archive standard, used by many reporters, counts four or more people shot. By that standard, this event clearly qualifies, and it will shape policy debates and data trends.
At least 12 people were injured, including six children, in a shooting in Tallahassee, near the campus of Florida A&M University, officials said. https://t.co/B1alJaFffN
— ABC News (@ABC) October 25, 2026
People across the political spectrum see a pattern that fuels anger and fear. Families want safe schools and events. Taxpayers want police responses that work and leaders who plan ahead. Communities near campuses want order so businesses can thrive. This case highlights core questions: who brought guns, how did a fight erupt, and what steps could have lowered the risk? Clear answers will depend on evidence, including camera footage, witness accounts, and ballistics tests, which take time.
Sources:
nypost.com, news18.com, tallahassee.com, wrdw.com, dnyuz.com, wcvb.com
