A mass shooting has taken place on Hollywood Beach Boardwalk in Hollywood, Florida, leaving several individuals injured including children. 9 people were transported to area hospitals, 5 were taken into custody and 1 person is possibly still at large in the 1200 block of N. Broadwalk or near the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. At least 3 victims are children according to reports from the scene.
Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy issued the following statement:
“Thank you to the good Samaritans, paramedics, police and emergency room doctors and nurses for their immediate response to aid the victims of today’s shooting.”
Local authorities swiftly responded to the distressing situation, deploying a significant police presence to the area. Emergency medical personnel were dispatched to provide immediate aid and transport the wounded to nearby hospitals.
The Hollywood, Florida police put out an advisory in the aftermath of the mass shooting reports.
“Please avoid the area of Johnson to Garfield Streets, as well as the Broadwalk, due to an ongoing shooting investigation,” the police said. “Heavy police presence in the area. If you are looking to reunite with a family member, we have set up a reunification area at Johnson St and N Ocean bus loop.”
Some elected officials immediately began to deploy “thoughts and prayers” to the scene via their social media accounts. School Board member Jennifer Jenkins after watching the videos from the scene of children falling to the ground in panic while running for their lives, has had enough.