Holly MatkinMiami, FL – Four children and five adults were shot during an attack at the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk on Memorial Day.
Police said they are still searching for one person of interest in the mass shooting, The New York Times reported.
He was described as a black male with dreadlocks who was last seen wearing camouflage shorts and a black, short-sleeved shirt, according to the Independent.
A second person of interest was taken into custody on Monday night, CBS News reported.
The attack occurred in the 1200-block of North Broadwalk near the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort at approximately 6:41 p.m. on May 29, according to CBS News.
The bustling area, which is surrounded by hotels, restaurants, and bars, had drawn especially large crowds in observance of Memorial Day Weekend, The New York Times reported.
Investigators said the situation began as a fight between two groups that escalated to the point of shots being fired.
Nine people were wounded during the chaos.
Witnesses said they saw a baby who was shot in the leg, CBS News reported.
“I saw a young man that was on the ground bleeding and they were applying pressure to prevent the bleeding,” a visitor from Philadelphia told CBS New. “Also, saw a lady that was very upset. I think she had a wound to her leg.”
Hollywood Beach, FL – Memorial Day Shooting on the Boardwalk. Video from Hollywood Beach TV on FB. pic.twitter.com/FbwgSAfLqu
— kygrl (@shinykygrl) May 30, 2023
Security cameras showed hoards of people fleeing the area.
BREAKING: There are reports of a mass shooting on Hollywood Beach in Florida. According to CBS, at least seven people were shot and some of the victims are young children.
Permitless carry became law in the state in April. pic.twitter.com/C8P7iGhxaR
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) May 30, 2023
Several victims were rushed to Jo DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Memorial Regional Hospital, CBS News reported.
According to a City of Hollywood spokesperson, four of the victims ranged in age from one year old to 17 years old.
The remaining five victims were between the ages of 25 and 65.
One of the victims was in surgery and the others were listed in stable condition as of Monday night, WTVJ reported.
WATCH: New footage of mass shooting on Hollywood Beach, Florida.
Multiple victims including 2 children, one said to be around 18 months old. pic.twitter.com/1zCELP7HMY
— Insider Corner (@insidercnews) May 30, 2023
It is unclear what led up to the fight that preceded the shooting or how many people were involved in the brawl, The New York Times reported.
Hollywood Police Chief Chris O’Brien urged anyone with photo or video evidence from the scene to contact his department immediately.
Chief O’Brien vowed that those responsible “will be held accountable for their actions,” The New York Times reported.
“We will leave no stone unturned,” he added.
Several family members were seen outside Memorial Regional Hospital hugging and kissing.
9 people were shot. Police say victims were 5 adults and 4 minors.
The youngest victim is a baby.
All in stable condition. @nbc6 #hollywood #shooting pic.twitter.com/Mp9aMr13Qb
— Christian Colón (@ColonCJC) May 30, 2023
Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy said thousands of people were in the area when the shooting erupted.
“People come to enjoy a holiday weekend on the beach with their families,” Levy told The New York Times. “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.”
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