Jacksonville Beach, Florida – St. Patrick’s Day celebrations took a tragic turn on Sunday night as one person was killed and three others were injured in three separate shootings in the bustling downtown bar district of Jacksonville Beach. The incidents occurred amidst the festive atmosphere of Spring Break, St. Patrick’s Day, and The Players Championship in nearby Ponte Vedra Beach, attracting heavy crowds to the area.
Police responded to reports of an “active shooter situation” around 8:30 p.m. and immediately began searching for multiple shooters. The chaotic scene prompted a lockdown of the area for several hours, with no arrests made at that time. Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith revealed that the first shooting incident involved a large gathering of 250-400 individuals, primarily in their late teens and early 20s, under the pier.
According to Smith, the situation escalated when fights broke out among the crowd, leading to two individuals opening fire on each other near the Best Western. Both shooters sustained injuries, along with an innocent bystander who was caught in the crossfire. Fortunately, all three victims were listed in stable condition the following morning. Despite the quick police response, none of the shooters had been apprehended.
Smith detailed two additional shootings that occurred later in the evening, with one involving a man wearing a ski mask firing a shot outside a bar without causing any injuries. The final and most fatal shooting took place in the parking lot of Sneakers Bar and Grille, resulting in the death of a 21-year-old man. Witnesses reported a disturbance involving three individuals, one of whom ultimately fired the fatal shot.
In light of the incidents, security measures were heightened in the area, with businesses like SALT and Lynch’s Irish Pub taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of patrons. The police department is actively seeking any information, cellphone videos, or social media footage related to the shootings to aid in their investigation. Despite the tragic events, the community remains vigilant and cooperative in helping law enforcement bring those responsible to justice. If you have any information, please contact the Jacksonville Beach Police Department at 904-270-1667 and ask for the detective section.