TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Three shootings among hundreds of people at Jacksonville Beach Sunday left one person dead and two others in critical condition, police said Monday.
Initially reported as an “active shooter incident,” Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith now believes as many as 400 people gathered under a pier for planned fights before shots rang out.
Smith said Monday morning nobody has been arrested, but police believe at least one of the shooters has ties to a gang.
They have not announced any suspects’ names.
Mayor Christine Hofmann, of Jacksonville Beach, told WTLV, “We have a lot going on out here. The fact we had a couple of bad actors out here that really made a dangerous situation for everyone is extremely tragic and unfortunate.”
Hofmann was on the scene to show her support for the officers and also applauded the local business owners in the bar district for their bravery.
NewsNation contributed to this report.