Seminoles starter was in library during Florida State shootings

Published Nov. 23, 2014 7:02 p.m. ET

foxsports

Florida State starting defensive lineman Derrick Mitchell Jr. was in the school library Thursday when a 2005 graduate shot and wounded three people before being killed by police. He played in a football game a little more than 48 hours later.

Mitchell had just completed a group project for a Sports Management class and was prepared to leave shortly after midnight. He hesitated to wait for other members of the group.

Mitchell heard the gunshots, but didn't think much of it until he saw one of the wounded walk back inside, lay on the ground and say he'd been shot. Authorities kept Mitchell and others in the library until 5 a.m.

He had three tackles in the win against Boston College Saturday.

'It will be while until I go back into the library," Mitchell said.