Jacksonville Beach, Florida – On Sunday night, a shooting occurred in the bar district of Jacksonville Beach, leaving three people injured, one of whom succumbed to their injuries, as local authorities launched a manhunt for multiple suspects.
Limited details surrounding the incident were disclosed to the public, with Jacksonville Beach Police Department spokeswoman Tonya Tator stating that the shooting took place in the downtown area of Jacksonville Beach. Amid an ongoing search for the suspects, Tator mentioned that the shooting unfolded in a public space.
At a press conference, Tator mentioned, “We’re still looking for suspects. We believe there are multiple suspects, but that’s what we’re still trying to figure out.” No detailed description of the suspects was immediately made available to the public.
Out of the three individuals shot, one tragically lost their life, while the other two were reported to be in stable condition. The Jacksonville Beach Police Department promptly issued a shelter-in-place order around 8 p.m. due to the active shooter situation, which was later lifted before 11 p.m.
During a particularly busy weekend in the city, coinciding with spring break, St. Patrick’s Day, and the Players Championship golf event, Mayor Christine Hoffmann addressed the unfortunate shooting incident. She expressed her concern, stating, “We have a lot going on out here, so the fact that we had a couple of bad actors out here that really made a dangerous situation for everyone is extremely tragic and unfortunate.”
According to data from The Gun Violence Archive, the United States has already witnessed more than 3,200 gun-related deaths since the beginning of the year. The incident in Jacksonville Beach adds to the grim statistics, highlighting the ongoing concerns surrounding gun violence in the country.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, authorities are working diligently to apprehend the suspects responsible for the violence that unfolded in the popular bar district of Jacksonville Beach. This developing story underscores the ongoing challenges faced in combating gun-related incidents across the United States.