- One person is dead, two injured after a gunman opened fire at a crowded bar in bustling downtown Jacksonville Beach, Florida
- The panic sent St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break drinkers rushing out onto the sands of Jacksonville Beach, close to the pier, in a bid to escape the mayhem
- Police urged individuals in the vicinity to ‘shelter in place’ until further notice; many were celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break festivities
One person has been killed and two other have been injured after a gunman opened fire at a busy bar on Jacksonville Beach in Florida.
As gunshots rang out, it sent people rushing out onto the beach in order to escape the terror.
One of those his it said to be in serious condition while a third victim has non-life-threatening injuries.
Revelers ran onto the sands in sheer terror as gunshots could be heard ringing out.
The incident is believed to have happened close to Jacksonville Beach pier near 2nd Ave N & 1st St N, according to local television station WJXT.
Jacksonville Beach Police Department said they were working an active shooter incident in the downtown area just after 9pm on Sunday night.
The department has asked those in the area to shelter in place until given the all-clear.
People could be seen running onto Jacksonville Beach to escape from the gunshots on Sunday night
One of three people injured could be seen being loaded into the back of ambulance on Sunday at downtown Jacksonville Beach
The blue lights of police cars could be seen from the beach area of Jacksonville Beach
Jacksonville Beach Police Department said they were working an active shooter incident in the downtown area just after 9pm on Sunday night.
The downtown area was busy with plenty of revelers celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and enjoying Spring Break.
‘If you have any information that can assist us, please call 904-270-1661,’ read a post on the police Facebook page and the Jacksonville Beach Emergency Preparedness X account.
Law enforcement agencies have been on heightened alert across the entire state of Florida with the popular Spring Break getaway underway.
Earlier this month, Governor DeSantis said 17 law enforcement agencies had requested extra Florida Highway Patrol troopers to help patrol their communities because of spring breakers.
The Jacksonville Beach Police Department, however, was not one of them.
This is a breaking story – more to follow…