A 19-year-old man was killed and six others were injured in a shooting overnight after hundreds of teens filled downtown Pensacola, Florida, for the Fourth of July, police said. The shooting occurred after a “teen takeover” that began with children as young as middle schoolers holding fireworks and escalated into an increasingly dangerous situation.
Investigation Underway
Police are now asking for the public’s help in finding one or more gunmen responsible for the shooting, which they believe was targeted. No suspects had been identified as of Sunday morning. The Pensacola Police Department had nearly tripled its staffing in the area in anticipation of crowded holiday celebrations.
Young adults, teens, and children were engaging in what the chief described as “frightening behavior” throughout the night. Police encountered teens fighting, launching fireworks at other people, and carrying handguns. Officers made multiple arrests throughout the night unrelated to the shooting.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
