This past weekend turned grim in Jacksonville Beach as a shooting incident left five people injured, including four minors. The victims, aged between 15 and 18, fell victim to the troubling “teen takeover” trend that has been causing unease along the First Coast.
The unfortunate event took place near Beach Boulevard and 2nd Street, coinciding with the Community First Seawalk Music Festival at the nearby Seawalk Pavilion. The Jacksonville Beach Police Department was quick to respond, arriving on the scene to start their investigation at around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday evening.
Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman expressed her dismay at the disruption, stating, “We had a wonderful festival going on, and by all accounts, we’re having a really great day, until a few bad actors who decided to bring chaos and violence to our community.” Her words captured the sentiment of a community caught off guard by the unexpected violence.
Initial reports from the Jacksonville Beach Police Department indicate that they were alerted to the “takeover” plans by school board police on February 16. Further investigation revealed that the same organizers, including an Instagram user known as “1rrgrandson_,” had orchestrated a similar event at the Avenues Mall on Valentine’s Day. This revelation has heightened concerns about the influence of social media in coordinating such disruptive gatherings.
“We had a wonderful festival going on, and by all accounts, we’re having a really great day, until a few bad actors who decided to bring chaos and violence to our community,” Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman said during a press conference at the time.
According to their initial investigation, JBPD became aware of the “takeover” on Monday, February 16, by school board police. It was later determined that the organizers, including Instagram user “1rrgrandson_,” were responsible for another takeover at the Avenues Mall on Valentine’s Day.
Chief of Police Gene Paul Smith says that at around 7 p.m., officers noticed that about 130 participants attended the takeover. A “physical altercation” was reported, but it is said that officers intervened. Chief Smith says that he had been in contact with Mayor Hoffman shortly after, saying, “This one’s done, no problems.”
However, shortly after making the call, police say that a “large disturbance” was reported on the intersection of 3rd Street South and 1st Avenue South. During that time, it is said that multiple individuals became involved in a “dispute” before firearms were discharged.
Five people, ages ranging from 15 to 18, were said to have recieved non-life threatening gunshot wounds. Four were transported to a local hospital, while one admitted themselves.
Throughout the evening, police say a total of five firearms were located; Two were taken from suspects earlier in the day before shots were fired, and the other three were found discarded at the scene.
At the time of publishing, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.
In their investigation, JBPD says that a second takeover, described as a “Part 2,” has been planned for Saturday, Feb. 28.
