Nine people were injured Monday evening when gunfire erupted along a beach boardwalk in Hollywood, Florida, authorities said, as people ran for cover near a crowded beach boardwalk on Memorial Day.
Police responded to reports of a shooting at 6:42 p.m. and found nine victims with gunshot wounds at the scene, according to Hollywood Police Department spokesperson Deanna Bettineschi. The nine victims were transported to Memorial Regional Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital after receiving aid at the scene.
One of the victims was in surgery and the rest were in stable condition, Bettineschi said. Authorities did not release the ages of the shooting victims.
Preliminary investigations revealed that an altercation between two groups “resulted in gunfire,” said Bettineschi during a media briefing Monday. Police detained one person of interest but later said they are searching for an additional suspect.
Videos posted on Twitter Monday night showed emergency medical crews responding and providing aid to multiple injured people. A live cam also showed people running from the scene.
HOLLYWOOD BEACH, FLORIDA, SHOOTING:What we know about injured, suspects
Witnesses describe Memorial Day shooting
Hollywood Beach is a popular beach destination about 11 miles south of Fort Lauderdale and 20 miles north of Miami. During the Memorial Day weekend, the beach was expected to see a high number of visitors.
The Hollywood Police Department said the investigation was ongoing and a heavy presence of officers were in the area near the beach boardwalk. Officials set up an area for family members to reunite.
“Thank you to the good samaritans, paramedics, police, and emergency room doctors and nurses for their immediate response to aid the victims of today’s shooting,” Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy said in a statement.
Alvie Carlton Scott III said he was on the beach when all of a sudden he heard numerous gunshots go off, The Associated Press reported. He said he hid behind a tree and then fled the area after a police officer told people to run.
Jamie Ward, who was also on the boardwalk, said several young men were fighting in front of the stores when one pulled a gun and started shooting.
Last month, licensing requirements to carry a concealed firearm in most public places were eliminated after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis quietly signed HB 543. The law, which goes into effect July 1, made Florida the 26th state to not require a concealed weapons license.
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Contributing: James Call, Tallahassee Democrat; The Associated Press