Current:Home > Invest3 separate shootings mar St. Patrick's Day festivities in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. -PureWealth Academy
3 separate shootings mar St. Patrick's Day festivities in Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
View
Date:2025-04-14 23:40:28
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! (5752)
Related
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Inside Clean Energy: From Sweden, a Potential Breakthrough for Clean Steel
- Will Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas' Daughters Form a Jonas Cousins Band One Day? Kevin Says…
- Watch Oppenheimer discuss use of the atomic bomb in 1965 interview: It was not undertaken lightly
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Kellie Pickler and Kyle Jacobs' Sweet Love Story: Remembering the Light After His Shocking Death
- The Best Neck Creams Under $26 to Combat Sagging Skin and Tech Neck
- A New Hampshire beauty school student was found dead in 1981. Her killer has finally been identified.
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Fired Fox News producer says she'd testify against the network in $1.6 billion suit
Ranking
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- Too many subscriptions, not enough organs
- Michigan clerk stripped of election duties after he was charged with acting as fake elector in 2020 election
- Warming Trends: How Urban Parks Make Every Day Feel Like Christmas, Plus Fire-Proof Ceramic Homes and a Thriller Set in Fracking Country
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Batteries are catching fire at sea
- Even Kate Middleton Is Tapping Into the Barbiecore Trend
- Amazon releases new cashless pay by palm technology that requires only a hand wave
Recommendation
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
Plans to Reopen St. Croix’s Limetree Refinery Have Analysts Surprised and Residents Concerned
Tarte Cosmetics Flash Deal: Get $140 Worth of Products for Just $24
Sophia Culpo’s Ex Braxton Berrios Responds to Cheating Allegations
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
Why G Flip and Chrishell Stause Are Already Planning Their Next Wedding
Why Richard Branson's rocket company, Virgin Orbit, just filed for bankruptcy
A New Hampshire beauty school student was found dead in 1981. Her killer has finally been identified.