What started as a quiet early morning in Fort Lauderdale turned violent when a burst of gunfire echoed through a parking garage just steps away from the city’s busy Las Olas nightlife. Three people were shot and rushed to the hospital after bullets flew on the top floor of the Las Olas Circle garage, according to police.
It happened just after 1:30 a.m. Sunday. A group of people had gathered on the rooftop of the garage—likely wrapping up a night out—when several others walked up and opened fire, according to Fort Lauderdale Police.
There was panic, people scattering in all directions, and within minutes, three victims were bleeding, loaded into private vehicles, and driven to Broward Health Medical Center. All three were still alive as of Sunday morning, but their conditions haven’t been made public.
No Suspects Yet, But Police Say It Was Targeted
So far, police haven’t made any arrests. Investigators are still trying to figure out who pulled the trigger and why. What they do know is that this wasn’t a random shooting. It appears the victims were specifically targeted.
“This was an isolated incident involving a group of individuals,” police said. “There is no ongoing threat to the community.”
Still, with downtown Fort Lauderdale packed this weekend—especially ahead of Sunday’s Florida Panthers Stanley Cup celebration parade—locals are uneasy. While police say the shooting isn’t connected to the parade, the timing has rattled nerves.
“We Just Heard Shots and Ran”
People nearby described a surreal scene. “We just heard pop, pop, pop and people started screaming,” said one man who had parked his car just one level below the rooftop. “Next thing you know, there’s blood, there’s chaos, people running everywhere.”
Another woman, who asked not to be named, said she was walking toward the garage when she saw people sprinting out. “I didn’t know what happened. Everyone was yelling, some were crying. I just ran with them.”
Police Presence Increases Before Parade
Police were already planning to ramp up security downtown for the Panthers parade, but this incident means even more officers will be on patrol. Fort Lauderdale Police say they’re working with other agencies to keep the public safe throughout Sunday’s events.
Cameras in and around the garage are being reviewed, and detectives are urging anyone who saw something—anything—to come forward. Even small details might help.
Tips can be submitted anonymously to Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).
What We Know About the Victims
The identities of the three people who were shot haven’t been released yet. They were taken to the hospital in private cars rather than ambulances—possibly because people nearby didn’t want to wait for emergency crews to arrive.
Hospital staff at Broward Health have confirmed the victims were being treated Sunday morning, but they didn’t provide any further updates, citing patient privacy.
Community Reacts: “This Isn’t What Fort Lauderdale Should Be”
By daylight, yellow tape still surrounded the entrance to the parking garage, a jarring sight amid beach-bound tourists and early-morning brunch crowds.
“This isn’t what Fort Lauderdale should be known for,” said Teresa Diaz, a long-time resident who came downtown for breakfast. “We’ve had a lot of growth here—good growth. I just hope this doesn’t become normal.”
Business owners nearby echoed the sentiment, worried about how the shooting might affect the busy weekend crowd. “We’re just trying to get back on our feet after the last few years,” said one bartender. “This kind of stuff scares people away.”
What’s Next
As police continue their investigation, residents and visitors are being asked to stay alert—but not alarmed. Extra patrols will remain downtown throughout the weekend, and so far, the parade is still on as scheduled.
More updates are expected from police as they review footage and talk to witnesses. For now, the community is left with more questions than answers—and three people in a hospital, caught in a burst of violence that no one saw coming.
