Photo: Gianrigo Marletta/AFP/Getty Images
By: EFE Posted Mar 26, 2023, 14:38 pm EDT
A false alarm about the presence of a sniper caused a human stampede at a fair dedicated to youth in Miami Dade and several people were slightly injured, reported police and press sources.
The alarm occurred on Saturday night after a group of boys ran through the fair, alarming other people, who imitated them, believing they were fleeing a shooting, sources from the fire department told NBC 6.
Amid the commotion, Miami Dade police posted a message on Twitter saying they were aware of reports of an incident in Miami Youth Fair and added that “There was no credibility in these reports or threats to public safety.”
We are aware of reports of an incident at @miamiyouthfair. There is no credibility to these reports or threats to public safety. As always, we remind our residents to remain vigilant. If you see something, say something. For emergencies dial 9-1-1 immediately. pic.twitter.com/shFA6zMg2h
— Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) March 26, 2023
Several people were injured, but no one was taken to hospital, the television channel said.
Videos taken by those present with their phones show people screaming and running between the fairground rides.
This is not the first time something like this has happened in Florida, a state that has been the scene of several mass shootings such as the one in Pulse Orlando nightclubwhich left 49 dead in 2016, and that of the Parkland Marjory Stoneman Douglas School in 2018, with 17 fatalities.
After the Parkland massacre, it was approved to increase the minimum age to own assault weapons in this state, 18 to 21 yearsbut the Florida Congress is currently considering a proposal to return the law to its original state.
At the same time, at the request of the current governor of Florida, the Republican Ron DeSantis, it is being processed in Congress, which has already been approved by the lower house, a controversial bill to allow carrying a firearm without a permit.
HB 543, to allow anyone to carry concealed weapons without the need for a background check or training to learn how to use them, passed March 24 with 76 votes in favor and 32 against.
The project, called by its Republican supporters as a “public safety” measure, has a version, SB 150, to present before the state Senate.
“This bill simply allows Floridians to hide postage without red tape or expense. Florida will no longer stand between you and your freedom to protect yourself,” said Republican Rep. Chuck Brannon, sponsor of the bill.
Democratic Congressman Dan Daley called it “insanity.”
“Think about that for a second. There are 7,600 more weapons on the street” if the law is finally approved, said the congressman.
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