8 hours ago
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Florida State linebacker Ethan Pritchard has been released from hospital, just six weeks after he was shot in the back of the head.
The Seminoles freshman was wounded in the back of the head last month as he was driving his aunt home from a family gathering on the Florida-Georgia border.
The 224-pound linebacker had been in critical but stable condition at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital but will now be transferred to a different institute.
Pritchard will be moved from Tallahassee to Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville for the next stage of his recovery.
Florida State QB Tommy Castellanos shared a video on Instagram that showed the FSU team cheering for Pritchard as he was wheeled out of the hospital on a stretcher.
In a statement, the school said: 'We are thankful for the efforts, thoughts and prayers of so many people and ask that you continue to support Ethan and his family as this process continues'.
Florida State freshman Ethan Pritchard was released from hospital on Thursday afternoon
Just six weeks prior, Pritchard had been shot in the head while driving his aunt home
Meanwhile, Ethan's father, Earl, said: 'I am so thankful for everyone who has prayed for my son. There have been a lot of ups and downs over these last 39 days, and it is remarkable that Ethan and I were able to leave the hospital together today.'
'His players and staff have continued to make us feel part of the team. I can't fully express how much those moments have meant to me and Ethan.'
'I also want to thank Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young and the FDLE for their hard work and dedication to pursuing justice for Ethan.
'My heart is filled with gratitude for the outpouring of support for so many people, and I'm so appreciative for every single one of you.
'Ethan has a long journey ahead of him, but I know he will continue to fight and he will do so with the full support of our FSU and Seminole County families and all who have been impacted by his story.'
Last month, police confirmed they had arrested four individuals in connection with the shooting of Florida State linebacker Pritchard.
Pritchard will be moved from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital to Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville for the next stage of his recovery
Ethan's father, Earl, said: 'I am so thankful for everyone who has prayed for my son'
Suspects Jayden Bodison, Caron Miller, Germany Atkins and an unnamed minor were arrested
Suspects Jayden Bodison, Caron Miller, Germany Atkins and an unnamed minor were arrested and booked into the Gadsen County jail.
Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young told reporters he believes the shooting is a case of mistaken identity.
Bodison, Miller and the unnamed minor all face three counts of attempted murder and one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle, while Atkins is accused of violating his probation. It's unclear if any of the suspects have attorneys yet.
Pritchard sat out of Florida State's season-opening upset of No. 8 Alabama on August 30 only to be shot the following night while driving his aunt home from a family function.
