JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office responded to reports of shots fired near the SK8 City Fun Zone in Arlington on Sunday evening following a concert event.
The owner of the business told First Coast News that the shots were fired adjacent to the building as guests were filing out during the event.
Excelsior Security Agency (ESA), a contracted company that manages security for the plaza where Sk8 City is, says it made repeated attempts to work with party promoters and the onsite security to help control the crowd and the unsafe conditions that were unfolding.
At 7:50 p.m., ESA says it made the determination to contact the Jacksonville Fire Department to request that a Fire Inspector respond to the scene to assess the situation.
At approximately 7:55, ESA says the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene for a call unrelated to the venue. At this time, a surge in the crowd occurred causing people to depart from the venue rapidly. It was also at this time that ESA was notified of shots fired on the far end of the property away from the concert venue.
"We all understand that action usually happens on the outside so they wanted to get in. They wanted to see who this guy was," said owner Terry Harris.
The on-site Jacksonville Sheriff Office officers immediately responded with ESA officers to the area of the reported shots fired.
Officers are investigating and there is limited information at this time.
Fire Marshalls say the business violated code compliance which is why people began leaving in a surge.
“That kind of put a little fuel on the flame," Harris said. "You got 500 people in the parking lot. We're trying to get them evacuated first, but at the same time, get everybody out of the building."
The violations had to do with an improperly placed extension cord, stacked boxes and other minor hazards said Harris.
However, Harris said they did provide hand sanitizers and masks to meet COVID-19 restrictions.
"That's our number one thing here at Sk8 City, is just to be the safety of the families and the kids that come in here," Harris said. "We've been here two years, had over 80,000 kids come through here. We have had not one incident inside that building."
Anyone with any information about this incident can contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or email them at JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.
You can also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.