Current:Home > Finance3 separate shootings mar St. Patrick's Day festivities in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. -Thrive Success Strategies
3 separate shootings mar St. Patrick's Day festivities in Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
View
Date:2025-04-18 00:14:33
Police are searching for multiple suspects in three different shootings that left one person dead and at least three injured as thousands crowded in downtown Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Sunday night for St. Patrick's Day festivities.
The shootings occurred near the city's beachfront after police broke up a group of up to 400 people in their late teens who gathered under the pier Sunday afternoon.
"This group engaged in boxing matches, fights and other incidents. The Jacksonville Beach Police Department had to take action," Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith said at a new conference on Monday morning. "When the crowd dispersed, that's when the shooting happened."
Police responded to the first shooting at a Best Western hotel at around 7:50 p.m., Smith said. The shooting left three people injured – two were transported to the hospital afterwards, and another self-reported an injury. Authorities believe two of the victims fired at each other, while the third was an innocent bystander, Smith said.
Less than half an hour later, reports came in of a second shooting in a parking lot outside the Ritz, a cocktail bar. No one was injured or killed, and the shooter fled the scene in a black ski mask, Smith said. Officers found one firearm.
Police responded to the third shooting, which left one victim dead, at Sneakers Sports Grille at 8:31 p.m. Officers believe three suspects pulled out firearms, Smith said. The identity of the 21-year-old victim has not been released.
The shootings are believed to be unrelated, Smith said. The investigation remains ongoing, and the identities of the suspects have not been released.
"Quite frankly, I'm pissed off," Smith said. "I want you to come to Jacksonville Beach, I want you to live here, I want you to visit, but if you break the law, we're going to put you in jail."
Smith said officials do not know if any of the shootings were gang-related. The victim who self-reported their injury in the first shooting is a known gang member, he said.
Jacksonville police have asked people to contact authorities if they have information related to the incidents.
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Why Rachel McAdams Wanted to Show Her Armpit Hair and Body in All Its Glory
- Kylie Jenner Corrects “Misconception” About Surgery on Her Face
- Andrew Lloyd Webber Dedicates Final Broadway Performance of Phantom of the Opera to Late Son Nick
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- War fallout and aid demands are overshadowing the climate talks in Egypt
- Coping with climate change: Advice for kids — from kids
- A U.N. biodiversity convention aims to slow humanity's 'war with nature'
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Biden is in Puerto Rico to see what the island needs to recover
Ranking
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Earth Day 2023: Shop 15 Sustainable Clothing & Home Brands For Effortlessly Eco-Friendly Style
- Maya Lin doesn't like the spotlight — but the Smithsonian is shining a light on her
- Here's what happened today at the U.N.'s COP27 climate negotiations
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- You Won't Believe All of the Celebrities That Have Hooked Up With Bravo Stars
- Battered by Hurricane Fiona, this is what a blackout looks like across Puerto Rico
- Selling Sunset Season 6 Finally Has a Premiere Date and Teaser
Recommendation
Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
Rise Of The Dinosaurs
Selling Sunset Season 6 Finally Has a Premiere Date and Teaser
The Myth of Plastic Recycling
All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
5 numbers that show Hurricane Fiona's devastating impact on Puerto Rico
A U.N. biodiversity convention aims to slow humanity's 'war with nature'
Save 40% On This Bodysuit With 8,300+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews That Comes in 18 Colors