Florida: 9 People, Including One-Year-Old Baby, Injured After Mass Shooting During Memorial Day
Yet another mass shooting has occurred in the United States, this time in Hollywood, Florida after several gunmen shot up a beach broadwalk, injuring nine people, including a one-year-old child and other minors.
According to USA Today, gunfire erupted along a busy beach boardwalk filled with people in Hollywood, Florida during Memorial Day. Police soon responded at around 6:42 pm. When they arrived on the scene, they found nine people had been shot.
Hollywood Police Department spokesperson Deanna Bettineschi stated that the victims were immediately transported to Memorial Regional Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. Eight of those who were shot were in stable condition, while one required surgery.
Videos of the Hollywood, Florida Memorial Day shooting incident soon surfaced on social media, and they showed emergency medical crews responding and providing emergency aid to several injured people.
As for the minors, there were four reportedly shot, with ages ranging from 17 to a one-year-old baby. However, a police spokesperson confirmed that all of them were in stable condition. Meanwhile, the adults who were shot had ages between 25 and 65.
Latest Florida Shooting May Be Because of Two Warring Criminal Gangs
Hollywood Police Chief Chris O'Brien held a press conference soon after the victims were taken to the hospital. He admitted that thousands of people were in the area during the shooting, as it was a holiday. He also stated that dozens of police officers responded, including officers who were nearby.
The Florida police chief also revealed that the shooting was the result of a confrontation between two criminal gangs.
"It's unfortunate we have law-abiding citizens who come to our beaches and that gets interrupted by a group of criminals," he said.
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One of the witnesses, Alvie Carlton Scott III, told the Associated Press that he was on the beach when the gunfire started. Soon after, Scott admitted that he hid behind a tree before fleeing the scene after a police officer told people to run.
Another witness told the outlet that he saw "several young men" fighting in front of a convenience store. One of them pulled a gun and started shooting.
At Least One Person of Interest in Florida Shooting Detained
At least one gun was pulled during the confrontation, and it was not clear if both sides shot at each other. However, Hollywood police have already confirmed that at least one individual of interest has already been detained.
According to CNN, police are still searching for an additional suspect. He is described to be a Black man with dreadlocks and wearing a black short-sleeve shirt and camo shorts. Police are also looking for several others involved in the altercation.
The investigation is ongoing. The police have asked people to avoid the area where the shooting happened, which is near Johnson Street and North Boardwalk. Authorities have also set up a family assistance center nearby.
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Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: VIDEO: Shooting near beach in Hollywood, Florida sends beachgoers running - 10 Tampa Bay