The victims, including a 1-year-old child, were shot in a busy area of the beach.
An altercation between two groups on Florida’s Hollywood Beach Broadwalk on Monday resulted in a shooting that left nine people injured
Of the nine victims, four are minors between the ages of 1 and 17, while the remaining five are adults between 25 and 65. The Hollywood Police Department provided an update, stating that six of the injured individuals remain in stable condition at local hospitals, while three have been treated and discharged. Authorities detained multiple individuals, including two men believed to be involved in the shooting. These two suspects were arrested on weapons charges. The police are seeking the community’s assistance in identifying three additional individuals connected to the incident.
During the investigation, the police recovered five handguns, two of which were reported stolen. The prompt response to the shooting was facilitated by the presence of numerous police officers assigned to the beach, particularly during busy holiday weekends.
Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene as gunfire erupted, with people running for safety and seeking shelter. The incident adds to the alarming number of mass shootings in the United States this year, with at least 262 incidents recorded by the Gun Violence Archive. The shooting occurred near Johnson Street and North Broadwalk, a bustling pedestrian walkway along the beach, lined with palm trees, restaurants, and shops. The sound of gunfire sent people scattering, seeking refuge in nearby areas.
When the police arrived, they discovered that nine individuals had sustained gunshot wounds
The injured victims were transported to Memorial Regional Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Although all the victims were reported to be in stable condition, one person underwent surgery late on Monday.
Authorities urged people to stay away from the crime scene as the investigation continued. A family assistance center was established nearby, where families could seek information about their loved ones and retrieve belongings from vehicles located within the crime scene.
Hollywood, located approximately 20 miles north of Miami, is known for its popular tourist destination, Hollywood Beach. Unfortunately, like many other places across the country, this beachside area has now become another site of gun violence, joining the list of schools, grocery stores, birthday parties, and malls that have witnessed such incidents.
READ ALSO: Former El Salvador President Mauricio Funes Sentenced To 14 Years In Prison For Gang Negotiations