The Tallahassee Police Department arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with the Oct. 24 mass shooting that left 11 people injured outside Bragg Stadium after Florida A&M University’s homecoming football game.
Anthony Rivers III was arrested Sunday, Oct. 25 as the alleged shooter in the mass shooting, one of the worst in Tallahassee history, and made his first court appearance the following day. State Attorney Jack Campbell said he will be charged as an adult and transferred from the Juvenile Assessment Center to the Leon County Detention Facility.
Rivers, who has faced criminal charges in the past, was arrested on 11 counts of attempted homicide and one count of possession of a firearm by a delinquent, said Alicia Hill, a TPD spokeswoman. The Tallahassee Democrat names minors when they are charged with violent offenses.
“Our investigation indicates that a physical altercation occurred before shots were fired,” TPD Police Chief Lawrence Revell said in a hastily arranged Oct. 26 press conference. “At this stage of the investigation, none of the victims appear to have been the intended targets.”
Detectives believe the incident stemmed from a dispute between people who knew one another.
At an earlier press conference hours after the shooting, Revell said detectives believed there was only a single shooter. But police now say additional arrests are possible.
During a juvenile court hearing Monday, Oct. 26, Leon Circuit Judge Andrew Sheeran ordered Rivers to be held in “secure detention” while his case is pending, which he said was required by statute given the nature of the charges.
When Sheeran told Rivers at the outset of the proceeding that he was in court on 11 counts of attempted homicide, a woman identified by court personnel as his mother said over Zoom, “This is a lie” before she was muted.
Assistant State Attorney Linda Berman asked Sheeran to sign an order that Rivers have no contact with the victims or witnesses in the case.
“He shall not have access to social media applications such as Instagram, Snapchat and any other applications like that,” Berman said. “He shall not have unsupervised access to the internet and he shall be supervised for school purposes only while in the detention center.”
Sheeran told Rivers he was not to have any direct or indirect contact with the victims, whose initials he read aloud.
“Your calls at the detention center are going to be monitored on a speakerphone,” the judge said, “and a log will be kept to ensure that you have no contact with any of the victims or witnesses.”
Sheeran granted a motion that he said was filed by the Police Department to seal the probable cause affidavit, which includes details of the crime and what led to the suspect’s arrest. State Attorney Jack Campbell spoke in favor of the motion over Zoom.
“This is a continuing criminal investigation,” he said. “We would ask that the court keep the probable cause sealed from public disclosure for the sanctity and the security of the investigation and the witnesses involved.”
‘A night of fear and violence’
At least 12 people were injured, including 11 who were shot. Six of the victims were children, including the youngest victim, who is 11, according to TPD Chief Lawrence Revell. A grandmother of one of the victims also was injured. Six remain hospitalized, with one of the victims in critical condition. Half of the victims were male, the other half female.
Gunfire erupted shortly before 8 p.m. Oct. 24, at Perry and Manatee streets, an area usually packed with food trucks and vendors during FAMU home football games. It was packed with students, alumni, families and Rattlers fans.
“What should have been a weekend of celebration in our community instead became a night of fear and violence for the victims and their families,” Revell said. “While this arrest marks a significant step forward, our work is far from over. We remain committed to holding those responsible accountable and getting answers for every family impacted by this tragedy.”
TPD said its officers and investigators worked “around the clock” to identify the alleged shooter.
Police said a “significant influx” of information poured in from the community. Before the arrest, TPD asked the public for any cellphone video or tips from witnesses.
“Tips and digital evidence provided by members of the public have been vital to investigative efforts,” he said. “But we are not finished.” The investigation remains open and active.
“This arrest represents progress, but we will not stop working until we fully establish what happened, identify everyone involved and bring the people to justice,” he said.
“Twelve people were injured Saturday night. Twelve families had to confront something no family should have to face,” he continued. “We owe those victims, their families and this community answers.”
The police “need our community’s help. No detail is too small, and no piece of information should go unreported,” Revell said earlier. “If you know something, please share it with our detectives. Your information could be the key to holding those responsible accountable.”
TPD asks community for help
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To aid in this ongoing investigation, TPD has established a dedicated tip hotline (850-891-4610) and activated an evidence submission website (tallahasseepd.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/perrystreetincident). Police encourage members of the public to securely share photos, videos and other information that may assist detectives.
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You also can remain anonymous by calling Crime Solvers at 850-574-TIPS with tips and other information.
This is a developing news story. Check back with Tallahassee.com later for more.
Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or 850-599-2180.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Prosecutor: 15-year-old will be charged as an adult after mass shooting
