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Seminoles hopeful for Ethan Pritchard's recovery after positive development

On3 imageby: Ira Schoffel2 hours agoiraschoffel
On3 image
Florida State LB Ethan Pritchard speaks to the media during the spring. (Matt LaSerre/Warchant)

Florida State freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard, who has been hospitalized for more than two weeks since sustaining a gunshot wound to the head, is showing signs of improvement, FSU head coach Mike Norvell said Monday.

Pritchard has been listed in “critical but stable” condition since the shooting, which occurred one day after Florida State’s season-opening win over Alabama.

But Norvell said the freshman opened his eyes for the first time on Sunday, and the head coach was able to visit with him again on Monday.

“It was something that was emotional for everybody, to be honest with you,” Norvell said. “It puts all things in perspective — the appreciation of a blink. And you know he is fighting. His family is there — so very supportive.”

The Florida State head coach emphasized that Pritchard still has a long journey ahead of him, but he said he and the Seminoles’ players and coaches are “grateful” to see a positive development.

“There’s still some major steps along the way,” Norvell said, adding that he was elated to share the positive news with the team on Sunday. And he said the reaction from Pritchard’s teammates and coaches was overwhelming.

“I walked in that team meeting and I had probably one of the biggest smiles on my face, just to tell them that he had taken a positive step,” Norvell said. “And to see their reaction and their love for this young man that just has been here for a short period of time, but is a part of their family. … We’re going to continue to be praying for him and believing for great days ahead.”

A GoFundMe account designed to raise money to help Pritchard and his family with medical and travel expenses has raised over $133,000, as of Monday afternoon.

Four people were arrested last week and charged with attempted murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle in relation to the Aug. 31 incident.

Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young said authorities believe the motive for the shooting was retaliation for the shooting of another local man five days earlier. While Pritchard was not involved with that earlier incident, Young said his vehicle looked similar to one driven by suspects in that case.

“We believe the same type car that Ethan was driving was involved in that shooting,” Young said, while reiterating multiple times that Pritchard had no involvement or knowledge of that situation.

“Ethan was not — I say not — doing anything wrong in that area,” Young said.

Stay connected with Warchant.com for more on this story.

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