Teen ARRESTED – Gunned Down 12 Outside University

Temporary white tents and equipment on a grassy field with traffic cones and metal barriers — Photo: John Nacion / Shutterstock

Police say a 15-year-old was arrested within two days of the Florida A&M homecoming shooting that injured a dozen people near Bragg Memorial Stadium.

At a Glance

Detectives arrested Anthony Rivers III within about 48 hours of the Oct. 24 shooting.
Prosecutors filed 11 counts of attempted second-degree murder and a gun charge.
A judge ordered secure detention; adult charges are planned, officials said.
Police said the gunfire began near Perry Street and Manatee Street around 8 p.m..

Fast Arrest, Clear Charges, High Stakes

Tallahassee detectives moved fast. Police said they arrested 15-year-old Anthony Rivers III on Oct. 26, about 48 hours after gunfire wounded many people near Florida A&M University’s Bragg Memorial Stadium on Oct. 24 around 8 p.m. The arrest came with 11 counts of attempted second-degree murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a delinquent, matching reports that 11 victims suffered gunshot wounds. Local outlets reported as many as 12 total injuries, including one person hurt while fleeing.

Police placed the scene at the intersection of Perry Street and Manatee Street, steps from the stadium and homecoming crowds. Officials described the shooting as an isolated clash among a small group, not a random attack on the larger event. Detectives said the investigation remains active, and they signaled more arrests could follow if evidence supports that step. The quick identification and charging decision gave a shaken community both answers and a firm signal of accountability.

Detention Order And Adult Prosecution Path

A Leon County judge ordered Rivers held in secure detention on Oct. 26, citing statutory grounds tied to the severe violent charges. State Attorney Jack Campbell said the case will go to adult court and that Rivers would be moved from the Juvenile Assessment Center to the Leon County Detention Facility. That decision aligns with longstanding Florida practice in extreme violence cases and reflects a basic conservative value: serious crimes bring serious consequences, regardless of age, when public safety is at risk.

Adult prosecution raises the potential sentence range and moves the case onto a faster, more public track. That can help a community see justice done in plain view. It also sets a clear deterrent message to other would-be offenders who think crowds offer cover. Prosecutors said they would continue working with police to map each count to a specific victim and act as the case advances.

What Police Say Happened Near FAMU

Officers said the gunfire broke out soon after the homecoming football game, while many people were still in the area. Police statements pointed to a dispute among two or three people that escalated to shots fired, hitting bystanders along with intended targets. Reporters on the scene described chaos and a rapid medical response, with victims ranging from children to adults receiving care at local hospitals. Authorities emphasized that this was not a campus breach but a street incident adjacent to campus activities.

15-year-old arrested in Florida A&M shooting that wounded 11 after homecoming game https://t.co/7Jdpg9xr8L pic.twitter.com/nQ2RayVJXl

— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) October 27, 2026

Officials publicly thanked witnesses who came forward and asked others to share photos, videos, or tips to help complete the timeline. The location—tight streets, event traffic, and stadium lighting—suggests cameras and cell phones could be crucial. The state attorney also called for more surveillance coverage near major venues to harden soft targets and aid rapid suspect identification after large events. That approach fits a common-sense priority: protect crowds first, then speed evidence collection if violence erupts.

How The Case Moves From Here

The court process turns next to formal filings, discovery, and hearings. Police and prosecutors will build a victim-by-victim map for the 11 attempted murder counts and detail how they believe Rivers acted. Reporters noted that some arrest records were sealed at the request of Tallahassee police and the state attorney, a standard move early in complex cases to preserve witness integrity and ongoing leads. Authorities said the investigation stayed open, with the door left ajar for more suspects if evidence confirms that path.

Published reporting now establishes four firm pillars: the timing and place of the shooting, the rapid arrest, the specific charges, and the court’s detention order. One brief caveat remains: an arrest is not a conviction, and the state still must prove its case in adult court. The through-line is public safety. Swift police work, tough charging, and a judge’s detention order show a system that acted with urgency to protect the community while the full facts move to trial.