9 shot in Memorial Day gunfire in Hollywood Beach, Florida

Four children – including a 1-year-old – were among nine people shot and wounded when gunfire erupted near a popular Florida beach packed with Memorial Day revelers, authorities said.

Gunfire erupted after two groups of men got into an altercation on the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, according to police and a witness.

Jamie Ward, who was on the Broadwalk, said several men were fighting in front of a row of stores when one pulled a gun and fired.

Some of the gunshot victims were caught in the crossfire, according to Hollywood police.

Authorities originally said one person was in custody and another suspect was being sought. But during a follow-up press conference, Hollywood police said they were sending out photos of people they believe were involved in the shooting.

They did not say how many gunmen were involved as the probe is in the early stages.

The ages of the four minors shot range between 1 and 17, said Hollywood Police spokesperson Deanna Bettineschi during the follow-up press conference streamed by NBC 6.

The five adult victims were ages 25 to 65, she said.

Eight of the nine victims, including the 1-year-old, are in stable condition with one person in surgery, police said.

Police officers and first responders began rendering aid to victims after receiving calls of shots fired around 6:45 p.m.

Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy said during the press conference he was saddened and angered by the shooting.

“People enjoy 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 said, thanking first responders and good Samaritans for helping wounded victims.  

The shooting sent people along the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk frantically fleeing the area or taking cover, according to unnerving footage of the scene. A woman could be seen shielding a young girl on the ground.

Another video showed a bloody scene as first responders tended to victims on the beach.

Hollywood police asked the public to avoid the area as they investigated and noted there was a reunification area set up at Johnson Street and the North Ocean bus loop.

Police are also seeking video and photos of the scene.

Hollywood Beach is a hotspot about 11 miles south of Fort Lauderdale and 20 miles north of Miami. The area saw more people than usual Monday due to Memorial Day. 

Phief Chris O’Brien slammed “a group of criminals” for interrupting a beach day soaked in by thousands of “law-abiding” visitors.

He vowed during the press conference to leave “no stone unturned” during the investigation.  

With Post wires