UPDATED TRANSCRIPT:
Ethan Pritchard was shot in a Havana neighborhood last month. I'm Tatyana Purifoy, your Havana neighborhood reporter and his story is now gaining national attention, even drawing a personal response from President Donald Trump.
In a Facebook post this week, Pritchard's family said a cousin reached out to President Donald Trump, who responded with a personal letter.
Trump said "His administration will never stop fighting to clean up our streets and ensure law and order."
Ethan Pritchard was shot the start of September… a shooting that rocked the Havana community and left his family praying for a miracle.
The family called the outreach "important" … saying it brought them hope during a time when they felt unsure if their voices were being heard.
According to the family's Facebook page Ethan's dad Earl Pritchard says Ethan has begun moving his lips and blinking more over the last week. He remains heavily sedated, but the family calls it a small victory on the road to what they hope will be a miracle.
According to the family's Facebook page, they say Ethan's progress is slow but encouraging and they're asking the community to keep him in their prayers as he continues to recover. In Havana Tatyana Purifoy ABC 27.
Original:
Ethan Pritchard, a freshman FSU football player who was shot in Havana in August, received a signed letter from President Donald Trump as he continues his recovery in the hospital.
An update page operated by Pritchard's family posted a photo of the letter on Thursday and shared it with ABC 27.
In the letter, the President praised Ethan's courage and tenacity and concluded saying, "Our thoughts and prayers will remain with you and your entire family."
The President also promised to continue his effort to "clean up our streets and ensure law and order."
Pritchard's family says they also reached out to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' office, but have not heard back.
They also said this letter encouraged them to remember victims of unsolved crimes and not "forget those that are still waiting for answers."
The family finished the post, saying they would share an update about Ethan's condition soon. FSU Head Coach Mike Norvell shared a small update earlier this week.
Pritchard has been in the hospital ever since he was shot in Havana. His father says he was driving relatives home when several people opened fire on his car near the Havana Heights Apartments.
Four people were arrested and charged in the attack. An arrest report found the men were looking for someone who drove a similar car to Ethan's after separate drive-by shootings in that area.
Neighbors in the community have rallied around Pritchard and his family since the shooting. A fundraiser for the family has raised more than $145,000. Players also honored Pritchard during a game last month, wearing armbands with his number and carrying his jersey onto the field.
The family says they're staying focused on Ethan and his recovery.
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