By Erika Hernandez
Mar 18, 2024, 1:31 PM EDT
One person is dead and three others are injured after several unrelated shootings occurred in Jacksonville Beach’s bar district., Florida, on Sunday night. The incident occurred amid a large influx of tourists for spring break.
Jacksonville Beach police are searching for several suspects, who were still at large as of Monday morning.
The shootings occurred outdoors in the city’s beachfront bar district on a popular drinking holiday, St. Patrick’s Day, during the start of the rowdy spring break season in floridaaccording to the police.
“I cannot emphasize the chaotic nature of last night’s incident. “We are currently working on three separate unrelated shootings,” Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith said at a news conference.
The first shooting occurred around 7:50 p.m. in the 400 block of the Boardwalk, just east of the Best Western hotel.
Smith explained that before the shooting officers learned of a possible gathering of teenagers under the pier. When they arrived at the scene they discovered that between 250 and 400 young people were participating in boxing matches and fights. Officers were dispersing the crowd when gunfire erupted.
Two suspects shot at each other, causing a tourist to be injured. While one of the suspects and another passerby were also rushed to a hospital. The second suspect, who police say is a certified gang member, showed himself up at the hospital. All three were in serious condition.
The second shooting occurred around 8:13 pm near the Ritz bar in the city center. A suspect pulled out a gun at the scene and fired shots, although fortunately no one was injured. The man eluded police during a foot chase.
Furthermore, the third shooting occurred around 8:31 pm behind the Sneakers bar. A 21-year-old man was killed after one of three armed suspects opened fire. They are all still at large.
The three shootings by multiple shooters led authorities to ask people to shelter in place, but the order was later lifted at 10:54 p.m.
Several pistol and rifle casings were found at the three shooting locations. Smith noted that two firearms used in the shooting were recovered.
No arrests have been made as police continue to investigate the incidents, Smith said.
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