Authorities in Florida have arrested a 16-year-old boy they say was involved in a shooting at Clearwater Beach over the weekend that wounded another teenager.
Officers responded around 5:15 p.m. to the 100 block of Coronado Drive, where they found a 17-year-old suffering from gunshot wounds to his leg, arm, and chest. The teen—whose identity has not been released—was transported to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in stable condition and his injuries were believed to be non-life-threatening.
Walek said Marsh III was identified as a suspect early on in the investigation. Detectives learned the shooting stemmed from a months-long dispute involving "social media and party-related rivalries."
"This senseless act of violence occurred between two groups known to one another," the deputy chief said. "We believe the suspect fired seven times. We are fortunate that the victim or bystanders were not killed in gunfire."
Walek said the shooting occurred during a gathering promoted on social media as a "teen takeover," adding that organizers had asked attendees to bring umbrellas and water, but not alcohol or guns. The event flyer also requested that no unsupervised minors attend.
The Clearwater Police Department has been combating "teen takeovers" in recent months. Since Dec. 31, 2025, officers have identified 11 events, nine of which were cancelled and two never materialized.
Walek said police were aware of Sunday's meetup and had been monitoring social media posts for the gathering in the days leading up to it. Personnel were also stationed at the beach ahead of the event.
Officers detained multiple people for questioning following the shooting, though several others fled the scene. It's unclear whether anyone else has been charged with any crime.
During Tuesday's briefing, Walek condemned Marsh III's alleged actions and issued a stern warning to other teens.
"I want to be crystal clear about one thing: This kind of reckless and criminal behavior will not be tolerated on Clearwater Beach or anywhere in our city. You will not come to our city, take it over, or mess around," he said.
"Clearwater Beach has been and remains a safe and family place to visit. People come from all over the world to enjoy our beautiful beaches. We will not allow outsiders to come in and ruin our reputation."