St Patrick's Day shootings: One dead and three injured in three separate gun ... trends now
One person has been killed and three others injured after three separate shootings erupted within an hour in the beachfront Bar District at Jacksonville Beach in Florida.
Upwards of 400 spring breakers had gathered under the pier for planned fights when shots rang out on St Patrick's Day night, sending the crowd rushing out onto the beach in order to escape the terror.
The initial shooting saw a bystander get struck by gunfire when two people starting shooting at each other outside the Best Western Hotel near the boardwalk, Jacksonville Beach Police revealed during a press conference Monday morning.
A second incident was reported less than 30 minutes later when a gunman opened fire in the parking lot of the Ritz Bar. No one was injured in this shooting.
One person was killed in a third shooting, which broke out near Sneakers Bar, involving three suspects who displayed guns. It is unclear if the deceased was a suspect or innocent bystander.
Police have not arrested any shooters at this time. The downtown district and bar area, as well as the beachfront, were 'locked down' Sunday night and will remain shut down until further notice.
People could be seen running onto Jacksonville Beach to escape from the gunshots on Sunday night in the Bar District
One of three people injured could be seen being loaded into the back of ambulance on Sunday at downtown Jacksonville Beach
The shooting happened in the Bar District of Jacksonville Beach on Sunday night
Shell casings can be seen on the ground at a Jacksonville Beach parking lot
Police shut down an eight block area of the beachfront and Bar District area
Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman, left, said the violence may be the result of 'several different incidents' that were 'potentially unrelated'. Sgt Tonya Tator, right, with the Jacksonville Beach Police confirmed the shooting happened out in the open rather than in a bar
Police received intel of a planned fight under the Jacksonville Beach Pier at around 2pm on Sunday.
Between 250 and 400 individuals had gathered at the location to participate in boxing matches, fights and 'other incidents' before officers stepped in.
The shootings erupted when the crowds were dispersed, Jacksonville Beach Police told the press conference.
The department said first shooting was reported around 7.50pm when two individuals started firing guns near the Best Western Hotel.
An innocent bystander and both shooters, who police referred to as 'victim-suspects', were injured in the incident. They are in serious condition.
A second shooting broke out in the parking lot outside the Ritz Bar. A man wearing a ski mask fired shots while running in front of businesses at 8.13pm, before dumping the pistol.
The weapon was recovered by police and no one was injured in the incident. The suspect remains at large.
One person was killed in the third shooting which unfolded at around 8.31pm behind Sneakers Bar, prompting police to issue an active shooter alert.
Investigators are looking
