At least 12 people, including six children, were injured in a shooting near a football stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, on Saturday night during homecoming weekend at Florida A&M University (FAMU), authorities said.
11 victims sustained gunshot wounds, while at least three suffered serious injuries, according to police. One victim was in critical condition, while eight others were reported to be stable, Reuters reported.
The shooting occurred shortly before 8 pm near Perry and Manatee streets, close to FAMU's Bragg Memorial Stadium, following a football game, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.
Tallahassee police chief Lawrence Revell said a preliminary investigation indicated that an altercation had taken place between individuals before the shooting. No arrests had been made, he said.
“I stand before you tonight devastated,” Revell told reporters at a late-night press conference.
Addressing the victims and their families, he added, “We hurt with you, and we will continue to get you the answers you so desperately want.”
“My message to the community is this... No family should have to experience this kind of violence, this kind of fear, this kind of heartbreak,” he said.
Revell also praised first responders for their efforts to assist the injured amid the chaos. He said officers had carried victims in their arms to get them to help because the crowds made it difficult to move through the area.
“We had officers who were picking up victims and carrying them in their arms to transport because they couldn't get through the mass of people,” he said.
Revell stressed the importance of people dispersing from the scene to allow officers to reach victims. He said the first responders had rushed towards the danger without knowing where the shooters were or how many people had been injured.
FAMU said in a social media post that the shooting occurred near its campus but that the university remained safe.