Defensive lineman Matt Patchan shot; expected to fully recover

Former Armwood All-American lineman and current Florida Gator defensive lineman Matt Patchan, was shot in the shoulder Friday night while a bystander at Sadie Park in Brandon.

According to Hillsborough County Sheriff's records, Patchan and a group of people were standing around in a group talking when an unknown black man pulled a handgun and started shooting toward the crowd.

Patchan was shot in the left shoulder, while former Armwood kicker Wesley Skiffington was shot in the right foot. The suspect fled in an unknown car.

Florida coach Urban Meyer issued a statement Monday morning, confirming that Patchan was shot, and that his injuries are not life-threatening.

"Matt Patchan was a gunshot victim Friday night at a Tampa-area park," Meyer said in the statement. "He was a bystander and shot in the left shoulder and is expected to fully recover in three weeks."

Reached by phone Monday morning, Patchan declined to comment.

"I've gotta go, I can't talk about it,'' Patchan said.

Armwood coach Sean Callahan said Monday morning he had talked with Patchan, adding that "he's fine.''

""I don't know what he was doing there or why they were there," Callahan said. "I don't know all the details. I just know he went to the Brandon hospital. They left (the bullet) in. It's not serious. It's in the soft tissue."

The 6-foot-7, 265-pound Patchan enrolled early at Florida in January after graduating from Armwood last December. Recruited as an offensive lineman, he was moved to the defensive line during spring practice. He is expected to be a major contributor this fall.

-- ANTONYA ENGLISH, IZZY GOULD and KEITH NIEBUHR

Comments

Lets hope for a speedy recovery. This is a terrible news. Hopefully they find the thug that did this.

thugs the only ppl that shoot guns?

[Ben]

I'm sure he had NOTHING to do with it. Right. Someone finally got tired of his smarta$$ mouth and put a bullet in him.

im sick of you people thinkin everyone who shoots a gun is a thug. are redneck people who go out hunting, shooting guns, thugs? please just shut the ____ up!

[tj]

I agree with the last comment.His coach said it best " he didn't know why he was hanging out there".
Surround yourself in bad places and with bad people, and bad things will happen.

[Hawks]

It is possible he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, I doubt it. I am not saying he is a bad kid. However, the kid should not have been in that park anyway. I do not know any more about this story than the next guy. However, as a father I aske this question. What time did this take place. If it were at 6 pm then he may have been visiting with friends. If it were midnight or later....wellllllllll. You get the picture.

[Bill]

I'd say a dealer is a thug if he shoots you after a transaction.

[Nole]

Yes, people who shoot other people, unless in self defense are thugs. black or white does not come into it, but they are all thugs. can you not see that? Shooting a gun doesn't make you a thug, but shooting other people does.

[Growl]

Is Sadie Park a bad place or something?

[Teri]

This is aweful, I wish him a speedy recovery.
I'm sure this is a surprise for all those folks who constantly say the only crime is in South St. Pete...surprise surprise!!

[bdiddy]

A thug does not have to be a particular color. They are many thugs both white and black. Why should he not be at a skate park? What happened to the good ol days of fighting someone toe to toe.

[Larry]

Sadie Park is not a bad place to be!!! Adults and children play basketball, volleyball, baseball,softball, and Flag football. I've been to the park many times, and never had problems. I'm sure there has been issues, but issues happen everywhere. Black and whites play at the park all the time!!!

[anonymous]

Unless you have all the facts then you really shoudn't comment. A gun was pulled and he got shot in the back by a black kid trying to be a gangster

People usually get shot for a reason. I find it hard to believe he was out walking his dog and got shot.

Whatever the reason I'm sure he'll be fine, recover, and have a good season. But PLEASE do not make this guy out to be an innocent victim.

[jason]

I second last comment. I'm sure he wasn't some innocent victim. Wrong place, wrong time? NO. Was he minding his own business? Prob not. Did someone just come shoot him for no apparent reason? Doubt it. Stay in Gainesville young man where your a lowly Freshman, instead of coming back thinking your the big-dog, those days are over for now.

[Jack Coffee]

This was for pot. This is a huge problem at UF under Urban Meyer. They all use pot. I know I graduated from there. He got shot by a dealer. UF will do nothing again.

Was not anything at all to do with drugs.

[HERBan Myer]

he is one the top 1%

we're just glad that he wasn't charged with anything other than stupidity ... it's harder for me to get people off for crimes unless they do commit them here in Alachua county

Idiots, morons, and inbreds:

People that shoot other people over disputes, legal or otherwise, are "thugs". Self defense or defense of property/others aside.

[Eric]

http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=thug

Definition: An agressive and violent young criminal. Goon, punk, hoodlum, etc.

The only reason there is any racial tension in these comments is because Tupac and other rappers decided to take "Thug" and make it a black identifier.

The fact that you are assuming someone using the word thug is saying "black kid" means that you've bought into that idea.

[Rob]

Wow...some of you really need to begin careers as fiction writers. You have this being a drug deal gone bad or a case of thuggery before any official word has been given or charges filed. Do you really have such a level of hatred towards all things related to UF that you feel the need to make up your own conclusions and post them as facts? If so you are truely ignorant and need to find some greater meaning in life. The only facts that we have are that two kids were gunshot victims on Friday night. Anything else at this point is meaningless speculation.

A Gator player shot, in the area? Oh my, I bet the offices at the St. Meyer Times were shellshocked today.

Then again, it gives them an excuse to keep ignoring Jamar Hornsby.

Someone who shoots another person is a THUG! No question about it. Sometimes a guy goes places he shows his face in places he shouldn't. I guess he is not as smart as he and his dad thunk he is.

He is finding out he may not be the toughest guy in town (especially if the other guy has a gun).

I agree with those mentioned above-bad things happen to bad people.... this is karma finally taking its toll. He always thought he was a Big Shot…ironic?

First a player dies in a motorcycle accident, then a player gets caught using a dead person's gas card, and now an incoming freshmen shot. Just what national contending programs are made of. If this were the University of Miami there would be a SI cover to end the program!!!

At least FSU makes UF look like disney world. Who would of thought that the Canes are the squeeky clean program in Florida. Go Randy Shannon!

He gets shot in his bad shoulder and the kicker with him gets shot in his kicking foot. That is according to the Saint Pete Times. He was not in the worong place at the woring time it was personal. He has a big mouth and a lot of attitude. You act like that to the wrong person and stuff happens. People hate the kid at least at Freedon, Plant and Armwood.

Karma?

[canesrule]

I'm glad he's OK but I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. He was there on a Friday night? Why? Why wasn't he in Gainesville where he presumably attends school? If he was buying drugs, has he been drug tested? He can get any drug in Gainesville, why did he go to Tampa? Is he dealing? I doubt it was a random drive by, since his friend got shot in the foot. Sounds to me like a deal gone wrong. Why is he unwilling to talk to the media? This has got thuggery written all over it.

[Jacob]

My guess is drugs, alot of these players are know stoners around school. Unless, he just happened to get shot while having a nice stroll through the park hmmmmmmm

[jason]

Not to many people coming to his defense. What does that tell you Mr Patchan? Your getting whats coming to you!!!

[H. Keller]

Some of you on here need to get a life..He was not there for Drugs- that is the dumbest thing i have ever heard...Sticking up for a buddy? That is more plausable. Should he have been there- in hind sight absolutely not- I am going to guess he will definately learn from this, he has way to much to lose screwing around with some idiot with a gun. Stay in G-ville and work to make the team better.

Wow, good point earlier, Lineman gets shot in the shoulder and a Kicker gets shot in the foot????? Something ain't right or random about that.

The sad thing is that this will not be Matt's last involvement with this type of headline. His attitude is terrible and his father has convinced him he can do no wrong. His ego will get the best of him. No doubt the kid is talented but don't be shocked if he doesn't make it at UF. Matt & his dad don't think rules apply to them. Meyer will grow tired of it and Foley won't entertain daddy. Everyone is replaceable!

[ME!]

ITS ALWAYS SOMEBODY BLACK! Saying the person was black will make the story more believable i guess.Remember Susan Smith? The more times change the more they stay the same!

[Serge Storms]

The Armwood kicker got shot too (in his kicking foot). What in the hell were they doing?? I'm concerned that shootings are going on in our local parks on a Friday night and we don't hear ANYTHING locally in Brandon until Urban Meyer spins it for us on Monday?? Terrible.

[canesrule]

The magic bullet entered the kicker's right foot and exited baby Patchan's shoulder. Sounds like more than one shot, not an innocent bystander situation as claimed by Urban Liar. Matt has got the look of a pothead. Too bad we don't need you Matt Jr. Go Canes! Gators suck! You should have listened to mom and dad and not gotten mixed up with those felon thug Gators.

[Disgusted]

I cannot believe the level this has sunk to. All of you should be ashamed of yourself that you are bantering about a 17 year old who has been shot. The victim is being played to be the bad guy. You are all sick in the head. Whether you like the kid or not or whether you are a gators fan or not, we are talking about a shooting. has society really lost all morals and the belief in the sanctity of life? Clean it up guys, it really is disgusting.

[Reality Check]

Disgusted- The level this has sunk to is reality. The kid thinks he is bigger than life and unfortunately the fact that he was fortunate and survived with little suffering or injury, will probably prevent him from learning anything. This WASN'T a random act of violence! Its time his family and supporters wake up and provide him some guidance rather than riding his coattails hoping for a payoff.

[It's Over Gators]

Hell, there's been more incidents at UF under Meyer than Spurrier and Zook combined! I think it's now official: UF is the new Thug U. You can't spell f*cked without UF. Good luck with that so called "team chemistry" Gator fans!

I can't believe all this talk of "he got what he deserved". I don't care if he was the biggest jerk on the planet, it doesn't justify ATTEMPTED MURDER. I my eyes all of you uneducated people on here talking like that are are just "thug" wannabes. And it is sad in this day and age our society has come to this. I hope they catch the shooter and put his butt in prison where the real thugs are. Grow up and get a life people, cause this kid could have lost his if the bullet would have been a few inches over. I still can't believe the audacity of you little kids belittleing and slandering this kid. All your doing is being just as cocky as he is "supposed" to be. Talk about irony!

[Ryan]

Some of you are idiots to make statements saying he got what he deserved and the Gators are the new ThugU of the state. Bad news happens and everyone is ready to throw darts. Hornsby was immediately kicked off the team for what he did, and Urban Meyer said his actions were deplorable.

Unless you were there with Patchan you are just speculating on why and how he got shot.

Interesting thing to see is where does Miami, FSU, USF and UCF rank with UF on the NCAA Academic Progress Report. Also, how many of those programs are instilling a youth mentor program like Meyer has done at UF.

Those of you are upset for whatever reason at the success of UF, and only seem to come on these blogs to throw darts should look closer at yourselves. Remember when you point your finger at UF, there are four more fingers pointing back at you!!

I did not see where anyone said he deserved it. I see people speculating that he is much more involed than he addmits. The Times has a man crush on the kid. No quotes from the sheriff and no tough question. The kicker is shot in his kicking foot and Patchan is shot in his bad shoulder. There is much more to this story and it smells like it is getting white washed. The kid also happens to be a jerk on the field who likes to hit people late. No love lost between him and any school he has attended or anyone he has cheap shot again.

[You guys are so ignorant]

This shot was not in hi bad shoulder. More speculation. He was hit in the other shoulder while running from gun fire from some dumb gang banger with a gun. Why hasn't anyone commented about the shooter and what a piece of trash he is????

[Coach]

Greeting Ryan - Only FAU and FIU lost scholarships as a result of NCAA Academic Progress Report. FSU, UCF, UM and UF all had acceptable scores, with only UF's men's basketball team scoring below avg. (Improvement needed, no loss of scholarships). FSU, UM and UCF were above avg in all men's sports. USF was below avg in all major men's sports - Football, Basketball and Baseball.

As a sports fan, I think there is too much attention paid to stories such as this one with Patchan and I hope that what I'm reading here about a possible drug deal or purposeful shooting is wrong. It is a scary coincidence that the linewas was shot in the shoulder and kicker in the foot. They were lucky, as was the shooter - I'm glad that the injuries weren't life-threatening and if there are lessons to be learned, that they are.

Kicker in kicking foot. Lineman in the shoulder. That does not sound like someone randomly shooting into a crowd. It is a BS story. I would be stunned if there is not a lot more to come out before it is over. Unless it gets sweep under the rug.

" Kicker in kicking foot. Lineman in the shoulder. That does not sound like someone randomly shooting into a crowd. "

This is too funny! Have you ever used a firearm before? You are suggesting that some kid in a park at night, with dead on precision, hit his moving targets with the one intent of disabling their respective talents. Who do you think the shooter was, James Bond?

You people watch too many movies.

[g8r8u2]

Wait a minute. Some high school kid gets shot in the back at a family park, while standing in a crowd of people,by some gansta wannabe, and he and the Gators are a bunch of thugs? Put the stem down folks... that stuff is bad for you. Has it occurred to anyone that the kid doing the shooting probably didn't hit who he was actually shooting at? All these little twits buying their gats on the street never have a clue how to actually use a gun, and never hit their intended target... it's always a bystander that gets shot. Even if he was the target, the guy who did it obviously didn't have a pair if he had to shoot him... in the back, no less.

I don't see anything that says he was shot in the back like most are saying. All it says in the report is that he was "shot in the left shoulder" yet people assume he was running from the shooter and was shot in the back. He may have been shot in the back of the shoulder but if that was the case he would not be recovering from a broken shoulder blade in three weeks, however if he was shot in the front of the shoulder the bullet could have gotten lodged in his flesh of his shoulder and that would only take a few weeks to recover from, barring infection.

The point is it sounds like the whole story is made up for the cops. The story does not seem to match the facts.

Yeah unkown back guy between 6 foot and 6 foot 4 who leaves in an unknown vechile. Of course after firing randonly into a crowd. Yeah real believable. Blame that same unkown black guy as Susan Smith.

Man they really sweep this under the rug. Any progress on finding a black guy who fires a gun into a crowd at a city park? Either really crappy police work or a BS story. Either way more of the pulitizer prize winning investigative journalism we have come to expect from the Times.