A 15-year-old has been arrested in connection with a weekend shooting near a football stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, that left 12 people injured, including six children, police said Monday. The gunfire broke out on homecoming weekend for Florida A&M University.
The Tallahassee Police Department identified the suspect as Anthony Rivers III. He faces 11 counts of attempted second-degree murder, along with a charge of possession of a firearm by a delinquent. Police said more arrests could follow and described the investigation as open and active.
According to police, 11 people were hit by gunfire on Saturday night. A twelfth person was hurt in the ankle while running from the shooting. As of Sunday, six of the shooting victims were still in the hospital and five had been released. One of those who remained hospitalized was being treated for critical injuries.
Earlier, the department had said at least three people suffered serious injuries, while nine others were reported to be in stable condition.
Investigators' preliminary findings point to a fight that broke out before the shooting. It took place in a crowded area after a football game. Police said none of the victims appear to have been the intended targets.
Florida A&M said on social media that the shooting occurred near its campus and that the campus itself remained safe.
University President Marva Johnson said Sunday that she shares in the "outrage and profound sadness at the senseless and despicable shooting." In a video statement, she added: "To all the victims, please know that we are with you and we are praying for your recovery, in body, mind and spirit."
Head football coach Quinn Gray also responded in a Facebook post, saying the "senseless violence has to stop" and that no argument or altercation is worth a person's life. "Homecoming is about family. It's about coming home to celebrate everything FAMU means to us," he said. "No one should leave our celebration in an ambulance, and no child should ever be caught in gunfire."
