1 killed in shootings at Jacksonville Beach on St. Patrick’s Day

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Police are investigating a series of shootings in Jacksonville Beach that left one person dead during the busy St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

Three other people were in serious condition after the shootings Sunday night, Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith said.

Two people shot each other, and one person was an innocent tourist from out of town, he told the Florida Times-Union. It’s tragic and unfortunate that “a couple of bad actors” created a dangerous situation for everyone, Jacksonville Beach Mayor Chris Hoffman told the newspaper.

“This is Players Weekend, it’s St. Patrick’s Day, it’s spring break,” Hoffman said. “We have a lot going on out here.”

After one of the shootings claimed the life of a 21-year-old man, police locked down nearby bars and evacuated the downtown area, authorities said.

“This was a huge task on a Sunday night in Jacksonville Beach that was basically a holiday,” the police chief said.

No arrests were immediately announced.