Multiple victims, including children, in Memorial Day shooting on Florida boardwalk

A “beyond reckless” dispute left at least nine people shot, including a child about one year old, as Florida beachgoers found themselves in the midst of Memorial Day madness.

Cameras at the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk captured the scene as throngs of people on holiday heard gunfire erupt shortly before 7 p.m. One angle showed as some ran off and others took cover where they were while another camera caught the fight near a convenience store, Ben & Jerry’s and Subway which turned into a shooting.

“I heard like three gunshots and I just see a wave of people running off, like screaming and running out,” witness Marvin Mikhail said, according to NBC News.

As seen in the security footage, even those seemingly responsible for the shooting scattered from the scene moments after the gunfire.

The Associated Press noted disparate reports on the ages of the victims that ranged from one year old up to 65 as a police spokesperson and a hospital spokesperson may have differed on considering a 17-year-old a child or an adult. As such, no fewer than three children were among the wounded according to Yanet Obarrio Sanchez of Memorial Healthcare System and as many as four children were counted as victims, according to Deanna Bettineschi of the Hollywood Police.

First responders could be seen treating a number of the wounded, one of whom required surgery. Of the suspects believed responsible, the AP indicated that officers had one person in custody but the search continued for others believed to be involved in the shooting.

“It’s unfortunate we have law-abiding citizens who come to our beaches and that gets interrupted by a group of criminals,” Police Chief Chris O’Brien said of the thousands who were enjoying the beach to end Memorial Day weekend.

During a press conference late Monday night, Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy expressed, “People come to enjoy a holiday weekend on the beach with their families and to have people in complete reckless disregard of the safety of the public and to have an altercation with guns in a public setting with thousands of people around them is beyond reckless.”

He went on to praise the efforts of the local police force as their investigation was underway and said, “The Hollywood Police Department will leave no stone unturned. We do not appreciate when people come into our city with guns and have an altercation in the midst of a public setting here.”

Levy also put out a tweet recognizing not only the official first responders but civilians as well who stepped in to do their part to help.

Kevin Haggerty

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles