JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – The Jacksonville Beach Police Department is asking residents and businesses to submit any surveillance or cell phone video from the area on Saturday night to help its investigation into a “takeover” that injured five teenagers.
Chaos erupted as crowds gathered south of Beach Boulevard during what police described as an unpermitted event.
A viewer video captured panic and shock at the scene.
Chief of Police Genepaul Smith said in a news release that fights began “as the last rays of light went down.”
He said it took about 15 minutes to clear the crowds south of Beach Boulevard. According to Smith’s account, roughly 20 officers were working between Beach Boulevard and Second Street, including the chief.
Investigators found three guns discarded on the ground and a fourth on a person detained nearby, police said. The reported crime scene stretched across about five blocks.
Jacksonville Beach police have linked the takeover to a similar unpermitted event at the Avenues Mall on Valentine’s Day, the department said.
Officials said they first learned about the recent takeover from an Instagram post on Feb. 16 and posted a public service announcement about unpermitted events on Feb. 17.
Downtown business owners were notified Feb. 20 about the potential event, and city staffing for Saturday night included the Special Investigations Unit, the Traffic Unit, the Drone Unit, patrol officers and festival officers, authorities said.
The Seawalk Music Festival was taking place that weekend; police said the festival would continue the next day.
Police continue to investigate and have not released the names of those shot or any arrests beyond the person detained with a firearm.