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, said Hollywood Police Department spokesperson Deanna Bettineschi during a Monday news briefing. The nine victims were transported to Memorial Regional Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital after receiving aid at the scene.
The nine people hurt included six adults and three children, according to Yanet Obarrio Sanchez, a spokesperson for Memorial Healthcare System. All of the victims were in stable condition, she said.
Bettineschi said four children between the ages of 1 and 17 were hit, along with five adults between 25 and 65. One was in surgery late Monday while the others were stable, she said. It was not immediately clear if the hospital was counting a 17-year-old as an adult.
Preliminary investigations revealed that an altercation between two groups “resulted in gunfire,” said Bettineschi. Police detained one person of interest but later said that they were looking for more suspects.
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.
DEVELOPING INTO THE NIGHT:For more updates, sign up for USA TODAY’s Evening Briefing
Contributing: James Call, Tallahassee Democrat; The Associated Press