JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Jacksonville Beach police apparently had a fight club situation of sorts brewing prior to Sunday's fatal active shooter situation.
Police released video on its Facebook page Monday showing massive crowds of people on the beach gathered, holding up cellphones to record fights.
"Beginning last week, officers began receiving information in reference to organized fights on our beach scheduled for Sunday, March 17th," the Facebook post states. "We began tracking several events and staffed officers accordingly."
The video clips police posted on social media were from citizens, city surveillance, and businesses.
"This group engage in boxing matches, fights, and Jacksonville Beach police had to take action and disperse the crowd," Police Chief Gene Paul Smith said during a news conference Monday morning. "When the crowds were dispersed, that's when the shootings happened."
Smith characterized the active shooter situation that caused downtown Jax Beach to be locked down as "three separate unrelated shootings."
"I cannot emphasize the chaotic nature of the incident last night," Smith said. On top of the hundreds gathered at the beach for the fights, there were throngs of people in town for The PLAYERS Championship, St. Patrick's Day, and the regular weekend beachgoers, Smith said.
The first shooting occurred at 7:50 p.m. near Best Western, 305 1st St. North, where three people were shot. Two were taken by ambulance to the hospital and a third drove himself to the hospital. Two of these people were shooting at each other while the third person was an innocent bystander, Smith said.
The second shooting occurred at 8:13 p.m. after an officer saw a man running with a pistol firing shots. The officer chased him, but he got away, Smith said.
The third shooting occurred at 8:31 p.m. behind Sneakers Sports Grille where a 21-year-old man was killed.
Police have not released any names of the victims.
Because of the intel police had about the planned fights and the crowds, Smith said officers were ready and prepared.
"Our response time was zero," Smith said about the amount of time it took officers to arrive on the scene of the shootings.
No arrests have been made.