Florida political candidates react to the shooting of 11 people in Tallahassee

David J. Neal, Miami Herald on Oct 25, 2026

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Sunday morning brought a reaction to Saturday night’s mass shooting in Tallahassee from Florida major political office candidates.

Around 8 p.m., Tallahassee Police Department said, a fight escalated to gunfire and 11 people were shot near the intersection of Perry Street and Manatee Street. Perry Street borders the west side of Bragg Memorial Stadium, where Florida A&M was playing its Homecoming game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

A total of 12 people were injured, police said, six of whom were minors. Three people shot suffered serious injuries while the nine others injured, police said, were in “stable condition.”

“I am devastated by this senseless violence at FAMU on homecoming weekend,” U.S. Representative Byron Donalds, the Republican candidate for governor, posted to X. “I walked this campus as a student and cannot imagine why someone would commit such a heinous act. Praying for the 12 injured, including six children, and for the entire FAMU community.”

Donalds’ opponent, Democrat David Jolly, posted to X, “Our hearts are heavy with the news of last night’s shooting in Tallahassee. Laura and I are praying for the victims, all their loved ones, and the entire FAMU family.”

State Rep. Angie Nixon, running against U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody for the seat to which Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Moody after Marco Rubio became U.S. Secretary of State, posted to X in English and Spanish.

“My heart is broken for the victims, their families and the entire community,” Nixon’s statement read. “Homecoming weekend at FAMU is a time of profound joy, pride and connection. To see that beautiful sense of community shattered by senseless violence is devastating, and learning that multiple victims are children is even more horrifying.

“As we pray for the swift recovery of everyone hurt, we must also take action to care for everyone impacted by this trauma and for each other.

“The gun violence in our country has to stop, and, it will take all of us working together to heal our communities and protect our kids.”

Sunday afternoon, Moody posted to X, “Terrible news following FAMU’s homecoming game. My heart breaks for the victims and their families. We need a thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice and put them behind bars.”

Anyone who knows anything about the shooting can reach out to Tallahassee police at 850-891-4200 or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Solvers at 850-574-TIPS.