One person was killed and three others injured after three separate shootings broke out within an hour in the beachfront bar district of Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
More than 400 spring breakers had gathered under the pier for planned fights when shots rang out on St. Patrick’s Day, sending the crowd rushing to the beach to escape the terror.
In the first shooting, a bystander was hit by gunfire when two people began shooting at each other outside the Best Western hotel near the boardwalk, Jacksonville Beach police said during a a press conference Monday morning.
A second incident was reported less than 30 minutes later when a gunman opened fire in the Ritz Bar parking lot. No one was injured in this shooting.
One person was killed in a third shooting, which broke out near Sneakers Bar, involving three suspects brandishing weapons. It is unclear whether the deceased was a suspect or an innocent bystander.
Police have not arrested any shooters yet. The downtown area and bars, as well as the waterfront, were “locked down” on Sunday evening and will remain so until further notice.
People could be seen running on the beach in Jacksonville to escape gunfire Sunday night in the bar district.
One of the three injured people could be seen being loaded into the back of an ambulance Sunday in downtown Jacksonville Beach.
Police are investigating three separate shootings that broke out in less than an hour in the beachfront bar district of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, on Sunday evening.
Police received reports of a planned fight under the Jacksonville Beach Pier on Sunday around 2 p.m.
Between 250 and 400 people had gathered there to take part in boxing matches, fights and “other incidents” before police intervened.
The shootings broke out when the crowd was dispersed, Jacksonville Beach police said at the news conference.
The department said the first shots were reported around 7:50 p.m., when two individuals began shooting near the Best Western hotel.
An innocent bystander and the two shooters, who police described as “suspected victims,” were injured in the incident. They are in serious condition.
A second shooting broke out in the parking lot in front of the Ritz Bar. A man wearing a ski mask fired shots while running in front of businesses at 8:13 p.m., before dropping his pistol.
The weapon was recovered by police and no one was injured during the incident. The suspect is still at large.
One person was killed in the third shooting that happened around 8:31 p.m. behind Sneakers Bar, prompting police to issue an active shooter alert.
Investigators are looking for three suspects who brandished firearms during the incident.
Police have made no arrests of the shooters at this time, but have revealed that one of the suspects has gang ties. The incidents are still under investigation.
Shell casings can be seen on the ground in a Jacksonville Beach parking lot
Police closed off eight-block area of waterfront and bar district
The blue lights of police cars were visible from Jacksonville Beach.
Police have now completely shut down the seaside bar district while the suspects remain at large.
Downtown was filled with drinkers Sunday night in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and spring break.
Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman, left, said the violence could be the result of “several different incidents” that were “potentially unrelated.” Sgt Tonya Tator, right, of the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, confirmed the shooting happened outdoors rather than at a bar.
Party-goers ran onto the sand in sheer terror on Sunday evening as gunshots rang out from the boardwalk.
“We got here and everyone was safe and the next thing you know, things were happening,” said the owner of Salt Bar & Restaurant, who witnessed the chaos. News4Jax Sunday night.
“People were scared. There were a few people worried about getting shot by indiscriminate bullets, but the boardwalk is a public beach and sometimes people come out who maybe shouldn’t be here.
Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith said Monday morning that the force may increase its patrols in the wake of the shootings.
“I’m not going to give my hand. I am, I wish it was a surprise. You can probably bet if you know me that yes, we are going to do some things,” he said. Action News Jax Now.
He revealed that the “information” provided by investigators would “advance our efforts.”
Jacksonville Beach Mayor Chris Hoffman called the incidents “senseless violence,” something the community doesn’t see “systematically.”
She told the outlet Monday morning that she wanted to “reassure people that this is a safe community” where people live and come to “have fun and play.”
“We just want to make sure that we can guarantee that everyone who comes here is safe and has a great time when they visit Jacksonville Beach,” she added.
Hofmann visited the scene Sunday evening to show his support for the officers. Several agencies were present throughout the region.
People could be seen crowding the street outside after the first series of shots rang out.
One of the three people shot was hit in a city parking lot.
Police could be seen gathering evidence late at night, in the hours after the shooting.
The Jacksonville Beach Police Department said they were working an active shooter incident in the downtown area shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday evening.
Sergeant Tonya Tator of the Jacksonville Beach Police Department has appealed for testimony.
“If anyone knows or sees anything, they are asked to call the Jacksonville Beach Police Department,” Tator told reporters immediately afterward.
Downtown was busy with many revelers celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and enjoying spring break. Hofmann said business owners acted courageously during a particularly busy weekend.
“There’s a lot going on here. The fact that we had a few bad actors here that really created a dangerous situation for everyone is extremely tragic and unfortunate,” Hoffman told News from the First Coast after Sunday.
Law enforcement is on heightened alert across the state of Florida with the popular Spring Break getaway underway.
Earlier this month, Governor DeSantis said 17 law enforcement agencies had requested additional troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol to help patrol their communities due to spring break.
The Jacksonville Beach Police Department, however, was not among them.
If you have any information about the shooting, call the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500.