Current:Home > Scams3 separate shootings mar St. Patrick's Day festivities in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. -ProfitPioneers Hub
3 separate shootings mar St. Patrick's Day festivities in Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
View
Date:2025-04-18 06:18:42
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! (6)
Related
- RFK Jr. closer to getting on New Jersey ballot after judge rules he didn’t violate ‘sore loser’ law
- Parents raise concerns as Florida bans gender-affirming care for trans kids
- Hilary Duff Reveals She Follows This Gwyneth Paltrow Eating Habit—But Here's What a Health Expert Says
- And Just Like That... Season 2 Has a Premiere Date
- The Daily Money: Disney+ wants your dollars
- Why Arnold Schwarzenegger Thinks He and Maria Shriver Deserve an Oscar for Their Divorce
- DOE Explores a New Frontier In Quest for Cheaper Solar Panels
- UK Carbon Emissions Fall to 19th Century Levels as Government Phases Out Coal
- Illinois governor calls for resignation of sheriff whose deputy fatally shot Black woman in her home
- The Democrats Miss Another Chance to Actually Debate Their Positions on Climate Change
Ranking
- $1 Frostys: Wendy's celebrates end of summer with sweet deal
- Is chocolate good for your heart? Finally the FDA has an answer – kind of
- Selling Sunset Cast Reacts to Chrishell Stause and G Flip's Marriage
- A kid in Guatemala had a dream. Today she's a disease detective
- Matt Damon remembers pal Robin Williams: 'He was a very deep, deep river'
- Midwest Convenience Stores Out in Front on Electric Car Charging
- RHONJ: Melissa Gorga & Teresa Giudice's Feud Comes to an Explosive Conclusion Over Cheating Rumor
- SoCal Gas’ Settlement Over Aliso Canyon Methane Leak Includes Health Study
Recommendation
Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
Ukrainian soldiers benefit from U.S. prosthetics expertise but their war is different
Teen girls and LGBTQ+ youth plagued by violence and trauma, survey says
Trisha Yearwood Shares How Husband Garth Brooks Flirts With Her Over Text
Jury finds man guilty of sending 17-year-old son to rob and kill rapper PnB Rock
What Really Happened to Princess Diana—and Why Prince Harry Got Busy Protecting Meghan Markle
In Battle to Ban Energy-Saving Light Bulbs, GOP Defends ‘Personal Liberty’
Spain approves menstrual leave, teen abortion and trans laws