HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Nine people were shot and hospitalized, including four children, in a dispute between two groups on the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk on Memorial Day, a spokeswoman for the police department said Monday night.
At 6:42 p.m., Hollywood police received a call of multiple people shot in the 1200 block of North Broadwalk, adjacent to the Hollywood Beach Theatre, spokeswoman Deanna Bettineschi told reporters.
A witness told WPTV's Joel Lopez that it started as a fist fight between teenagers and one person pulled out a gun.
Hollywood police early Tuesday released surveillance video of the incident.
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"Preliminary investigation reveals that this was, there was an altercation between two groups that resulted in gunfire," Bettineschi said. "Right now, we do have one person of interest detained, and right now also searching for an additional suspect. At this point, they're believed to be a black male with dreads, a black short-sleeve shirt and camo shorts."
Patients were taken to Memorial Regional Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, both in Hollywood, Bettineschi said. One of the victims was in surgery, and the others were in stable condition, she said.
In all, four children from 16 months to 17 years old were hospitalized. The five adults were between 25 and 65. Three of the adults were treated and discharged.
Alvie Carlton Scott III told The Associated Press he was on the beach when all of a sudden he heard numerous gunshots go off. He said he hid behind a tree and then fled the area after a police officer told people to run.
Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy and Police Chief Chris O'Brien appeared at a briefing.
"I'm saddened and angered that we have had an incident on Hollywood Beach today where innocent bystanders were injured as a result of this shooting altercation between two groups," Levy said. "People come to a holiday weekend on the beach with their families and 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."
He thanked first responders and good Samaritans, as well as emergency room doctors and nurses for their response.
O'Brien said no "stone will go unturned ... in holding those accountable."
Dozens of police officers were assigned to the beach this holiday weekend, and O'Brien said there were no incidents until Monday night.
Police were asking people to avoid Hollywood Beach from Johnson to Garfield streets and the Broadwalk "due to an ongoing investigation," according to police on Twitter.
North Ocean Drive later reopened to traffic.
A family reunification area has been set up at the bus loop at Johnson Street and North Ocean Drive, police said.
Crowds were seen on the city's live beach camera scrambling along the Broadwalk.
This 2.5-mile pedestrian promenade in South Florida includes resorts, local shops, parks, bars and restaurants.
