Authorities are investigating several shootings across Daytona Beach, Florida, during a busy spring break weekend, though officials say none occurred on the beach despite viral social media claims. Deputies with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office reported 133 arrests connected to spring break crowds, including 84 in the Daytona Beach area and 49 in nearby New Smyrna Beach.
Officials said the panic seen in widely shared videos was not caused by gunfire. According to the sheriff’s office, the commotion began after people heard sounds like crushed water bottles or saw others running from incoming tides, prompting large portions of the crowd to flee.
“There were no shootings on the beach this weekend,” stated the sheriff’s office. “Widespread videos posted online this weekend falsely claimed crowds were running from shots fired. These videos were also picked up by news media.”
The first incident occurred at 12:15 a.m. Saturday at 308 Seabreeze Ave., where police received a report that a single shot had been fired inside a club. Officials said no one was struck.
A second shooting was reported at 12:44 a.m. Saturday at 244 N. Nova Road, where an 18-year-old man from Gainesville was shot and injured.
Later Saturday night, officers responded around 10:47 p.m. to the area of Kingston and Flanders avenues, where a 59-year-old Daytona Beach man was shot and injured.
The fourth incident occurred at 11:15 p.m. Saturday at 2 S. Atlantic Ave., where authorities said a 19-year-old woman from Atlanta was shot and injured.
Officials have not released the victims’ conditions or provided details about possible suspects.
In addition, authorities said deputies also managed crowds of roughly 2,000 people attending the “Hands Up Guns Down” event at the Volusia County Fairgrounds and Big Daddy’s Block Party in DeLand, both of which ended without major incidents.
In a separate case not connected to spring break crowds, a police officer from South Daytona was shot by a fleeing suspect on Interstate 95. Authorities also said a Port Orange Police Department officer was fired on while responding to a disturbance call.
“The Sheriff's Office is aware of upcoming Spring Break events being promoted on social media and is working with city government and law enforcement partners to address concerns,” stated the press release, adding that more information will be available soon.