CLEARWATER, Fla. (CBS12) — A chaotic “teen takeover” at a Florida beach erupted into violence on Sunday evening, leading to a shooting that left a 17-year-old hospitalized.
Deputy Chief Michael Walek of the Clearwater Police Department stated that officers responded to a fight, which turned into a shooting, in the 100 block of Coronado Drive around 5:15 p.m.
When officers arrived, they reported finding a 17-year-old gunshot victim, who was rushed to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital. Officials say that his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Walek said that police apprehended several individuals for questioning, while many others fled the scene.
The large gathering, reportedly consisting of hundreds of people, was organized through social media and described as a “teen takeover” reminiscent of spring break crowds.
See also: 22 arrested aged 12 to 21 in ‘teen takeover’ at Florida park
Chief Walek mentioned that groups of juveniles were seen roaming around, creating a challenging environment.
In response to reports of large crowds causing disturbances in various locations, officers worked to control the situation and started limiting access to affected beach areas, implementing a traffic plan typically used on July 4th. Assistance was provided by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the Largo Police Department.
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Deputy Chief Walek emphasized the importance of safety, stating, “This type of behavior cannot and will not be tolerated.” He warned that anyone planning to engage in similar activities would face arrest. “This is the first weekend of summer at Clearwater Beach. If you come here to misbehave, your trip will end with a trip to jail.”