TALLAHASSEE, Fla. â€" Florida State freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard is “alert, responsive and able to communicate†after being shot in the back of the head following the team’s season opener in August, according to a post on the Seminoles football program's X account.

Pritchard was released from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital on Thursday and moved to Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville for the next stage in his recovery.

The football team at Pritchard’s high school alma mater, Seminole High School in Sanford, posted a video of him leaving the hospital on its X account Thursday afternoon.

“We are thankful for the efforts, thoughts and prayers of so many people and ask that you continue to support Ethan and his family as this process continues,†Florida State football posted in an announcement on X.

Four people were arrested in connection with the shooting. Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass said last month that Pritchard was “not doing anything wrong†when he was ambushed outside an apartment complex. He added that Pritchard was dropping off an aunt and a child at the time of the shooting.

Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young said the shooting was a case of mistaken identity.

“I am so thankful for everyone who has prayed for my son,†Earl Pritchard said in a statement. “There have been a lot of ups and downs over these last 39 days, and it is remarkable that Ethan and I were able to leave the hospital together today.â€

Pritchard also thanked FSU coach Mike Norvell for being “a constant presence visiting us here at the hospital.â€

“His players and staff have continued to make us feel part of the team,†Pritchard added. “I can’t fully express how much those moments have meant to me and Ethan.â€

Seminole High School hosted a fundraiser in early September at a football game, selling T-shirts with his number on them.

All funds from T-shirt sales and concession sales went to his family to help pay for his medical bills.