Osborne & Francis Pursues Justice For FSU Player In Apartment Shooting Case

Ethan Pritchard was just 18, a rising star linebacker with a promising future at Florida State University, when his life changed in an instant. On August 31, while driving his family home near the Riverside Apartment Complex in Havana, Florida, he was shot in the head in a terrifying case of mistaken identity. One moment, he was looking forward to his football career; the next, he was facing unimaginable challenges.

At Osborne & Francis, Orlando’s OSB office is standing with Ethan. The lawsuit highlights that these property owners knew, or should have known, about the dangers around their properties and failed to act, putting people like Ethan at risk.

If you or a loved one has been hurt because of a property owner’s negligence, you deserve answers and justice. Call us today at (561) 293-2600 for a free consultation or fill out our online form.

A Promising Future Interrupted by Negligence

Ethan Pritchard is more than just a young athlete—he is a dedicated student, a committed teammate, and a valued member of his family and community. 

Before committing to Florida State University, Ethan was a standout four-star linebacker at Seminole High School in Sanford, leading his team to a 10-2 record and a second consecutive regional final. His future on the football field was bright, full of potential, and hard-earned opportunities. 

On the night of August 31, that trajectory was suddenly disrupted. While driving his family home near the Riverside Apartment Complex in Havana, Florida, Ethan was shot in the head in a case of mistaken identity. This incident was not merely an unfortunate accident. 

The Riverside Apartment Complex and nearby Havana Heights Apartments had a documented history of criminal activity, and the lawsuit now alleges that their negligence directly contributed to the unsafe conditions that put Ethan in harm’s way.

Osborne & Francis Represents Ethan Pritchard in Shooting Case

Osborne & Francis is honored to represent Ethan Pritchard and his family as they pursue justice in this deeply troubling case and hold the responsible parties accountable for the failures that contributed to this tragedy.

At the heart of the lawsuit is negligent security, an area of law that addresses situations where property owners and managers do not take reasonable measures to keep their premises safe. This duty becomes even more important when there is a known history of crime in the area.

According to the complaint, both apartment complexes were aware of the substantial criminal activity occurring on and around their properties. Despite this knowledge, they allegedly failed to implement appropriate security measures. 

As a result, an unreasonably dangerous environment was created for residents, visitors, and people like Ethan who were simply driving through the adjacent roadway with their families.

A Premises Liability Lawsuit to Hold Property Owners Accountable

Our team is fully committed to pursuing justice for Ethan and ensuring he receives the support he needs as he continues his recovery. This includes seeking compensation for his medical care, rehabilitation, and the significant challenges he now faces because of this preventable incident.

The lawsuit outlines four counts of negligence against the parties responsible for owning and managing the apartment complexes involved:

• Riverside Apartments LLP
• Daniel McMillan
• Community Havana LLC
• Republic First Management Inc.

Ethan Pritchard’s case is being led by attorneys Greg Francis and Ryan Fletcher from our Orlando OSB office. They are working closely with Ethan and his family to investigate the safety failures at the Riverside Apartment Complex and the Havana Heights Apartment.

This case serves as a crucial reminder to all property owners in Florida: When you have knowledge of a risk, you have a legal and ethical duty to act. When that duty is breached, leading to harm, our firm is prepared to step in. We never back down or ease up until our clients receive the full amount they are due under the law.

Being a property owner is about more than keeping the grounds clean or fixing a few broken lights. It means taking real steps to protect the people who live on, visit, or even pass by your property. 

When that responsibility is ignored, people get hurt. If you’ve been injured because a property owner failed to take safety seriously, Osborne & Francis is here to help. Call (561) 293-2600 for a free consultation or fill out our online form.

Looking Ahead With Strength and Support as Osborne & Francis Pursues Justice for FSU Player in Apartment Shooting Case

Ethan Pritchard continues to show tremendous strength as he works through his recovery. His determination is a reminder of why this case matters and why accountability is so important. Our role is to support him and his family as they traverse the challenges ahead and to make sure their voices are heard.

As the negligent security lawsuit moves forward, our focus remains on uncovering the truth and pushing for meaningful change so that no other family has to face a preventable tragedy like this one. The Orlando OSB office is dedicated to standing up for those harmed by negligent security, and we are here to guide anyone facing a similar situation.

If you have been injured because a property owner failed to keep their premises safe, you don’t have to carry that burden alone. Reach out to our Orlando OSB office for a free and confidential consultation at (561) 293-2600 or fill out our online form.