Let’s review Saturday’s events: first football game of the season, FAMU is victorious with a win over Delaware State University with a crushing score of 21-12 and one of our players gets shot. What doesn’t belong here?
Usually cheering and the splash of cold Gatorade on the winning coach’s head is in order after the game, but a shootout? Come on. FAMU doesn’t need this kind of activity especially when the turnout for the game was reportedly 17,000 people—the highest it’s been in five years.
FAMU running back Lonvontae Page, 19, along with his 14-year-old cousin and a 17-year-old boy, were shot at 10:10 p.m., more than an hour after the football game ended on Saturday. Thankfully, none were fatally wounded, but the gunshot wound to Page’s arm will put him out of commission for the rest of the season.
But other than Page being benched for the season, others might be benched for the season too.
Some of our fearful fans are even in the mix. The shooting occurred by Wahnish Way in what police say was a dispute between two groups. Those with reported injuries were only bystanders.
Although a shooting near campus after a sporting event may seem rare, one might question coming to any future sporting events to avoid the possibility of being shot.
A 17-year-old male has been arrested with three counts of felony battery, using a deadly weapon, firing a weapon in public and crimes against people. It has been reported that the chief of police doubts the shooting will hurt future turnouts for FAMU football games. Here’s to hoping it doesn’t, but if some fans decide to sit the game out, we don’t blame you.
Matthew Richardson for the Editorial Board.