JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Shots rang out in Jacksonville Beach Sunday, sending people running for their lives.
Police say gunfire erupted in the city’s beachfront bar district “out in the open.”
“Damn, they are shooting! Stay down! Just stay down!” one person is heard shouting in cellphone video of the chaos that ensued afterward.
Videos show people running on the beach for cover as shots ring out in the distance.
“It’s a busy weekend. It’s St. Patrick’s Day, it’s spring break. We have a lot going on here,” Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman said.
Police confirmed Monday morning that they are investigating three unrelated shootings that took place within minutes of each other Sunday.
Officers say the first shooting happened moments after officers dispersed a group of more than 250 teenagers who were gathered near the pier Sunday afternoon.
Police say in the first shooting, two teens fired at each other and both were shot. An innocent bystander was also shot.
According to authorities, in the second shooting, a male was seen by officers pulling out a gun, firing a shot and taking off. No one was injured in that shooting.
A third shooting took place behind a bar, where one victim was killed, authorities said.
Investigators say multiple shooters are on the run.
“That’s what we’re still trying to figure out, just due to the scope of the area. So we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us to figure out everything -- put all the pieces together,” Sgt. Tonya Tator said.
Law enforcement has been on alert across Florida with spring break underway.
Officials in Miami Beach imposed a midnight curfew over the weekend, prompting a lawsuit from nightclubs.
But a judge ruled against the clubs, saying the three-night curfew did not cause “irreparable harm.”
Now, the large crowds that are looking to keep the party going have flocked north.