Florida State University Football Player Ethan Pritchard Files Lawsuit Against Apartment Complexes After Shooting Incident
Florida State University football player Ethan Pritchard, who was injured in a shooting, is set to discuss a lawsuit against two apartment complexes near Tallahassee. The Orlando-based Osborne & Francis Law Firm will represent Pritchard in the case, with a news conference scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m. The press conference was rescheduled from its original date on Nov. 20. Pritchard, 18, was shot in the head on August 31 in Havana, Florida, as he drove by the Havana Heights and Riverside apartment complexes. The shooting, deemed a case of mistaken identity by investigators, led to the arrest of four individuals, with three facing charges related to the incident.
Pritchard's lawsuit alleges that the apartment complexes failed to address security concerns and overlooked the criminal history of one of the assailants involved in the shooting. The legal action points out a pattern of violence at Havana Heights, citing four previous shootings between June 2024 and August 2025, including an incident just days before Pritchard was shot. The lawsuit claims that the apartment complex owners were aware or should have been aware of the potential for criminal activity on their premises, creating a dangerous environment for residents, guests, and the public. The complaint also mentions the lack of security measures such as operable security cameras, security guards, or gates, which contributed to the unsafe conditions. A previous lawsuit against Havana Heights, involving a drive-by shooting that injured a woman and her daughter, was settled out of court. Pritchard's legal team filed the complaint in Gadsen County.
After undergoing extensive rehabilitation in Jacksonville, Pritchard has returned home to Sanford, where he attended Seminole High School. The community recently organized a welcome-home parade to show their support for Pritchard as he continues his recovery journey.