Daytona Beach Police Investigating 4 Shootings

The Daytona Beach Police Department is currently investigating several shootings reported on Saturday. Two of the incidents took place in the early hours of Saturday morning, while the other two were in the later hours of the evening. Several videos have circulated widely over social media in the past few days, raising concerns about a potential rash of gun violence in Daytona Beach. Both the Volusia Sheriff’s Office and Daytona Beach Police Department have addressed these and investigated them. Sheriff Mike Chitwood attributed at least one video to the sound of crushed water bottles being mistaken for gunfire. He said that 50 VSO deputies were on-scene in that incident, and that no shots were fired. Still, multiple other incidents over the weekend are being reported by law enforcement as shootings. As of Monday, the DBPD is asking anyone with information about any of these incidents to reach out. The following channels are available: Detective Luis Campoverde campoverdeluis@daytonabeach.gov (386) 671-5232 Detective Andre Walker walkerandre@daytonabeach.gov (386) 671-5229 Anonymous Tips Text DBTIPS to 274637 Call Crime Stoppers of NE Florida at 1-888-277-8477 The Joint – Seabreeze Boulevard The first shooting occurred just after midnight on Saturday. At 12:36 a.m., officers responded to The Joint, a bar on Seabreeze Blvd. Witnesses said a male patron began to behave aggressively, leading multiple women to spray him with mace. A suspect who was not named by the DBPD fired a gun, police say. This created a panic as hordes of people tried to run for the exits. Police say that fortunately no one was hit by the gunshots, but some patrons were injured during the ensuing stampede. The injured parties were evaluated on-scene and given the chance to go to the hospital. Investigators believe the parties involved were visiting from out of town, the DBPD says. An investigation is still ongoing as of Monday. Parking Lot – Nova Road The second incident occurred at around 12:44 a.m. at a parking lot on Nova Road, the Daytona Beach Police Department says. Officers on proactive patrols drove by the strip mall parking lot at the northwest corner of Nova Road and International Speedway Boulevard. Officers were reportedly flagged down to respond to someone being shot. The DBPD says that officers responded and began to search for the shooting victim. After they were located, officers began to administer first aid while medical personnel drove to the scene. The victim was hospitalized and is said to be in stable condition. No suspect has been identified, but police say they’re believed to be a visitor from out of town. Kingston Avenue and Flanders Avenue The third shooting reportedly occurred in the area of Kingston Avenue and Flanders Avenue. The Daytona Beach Police Department was contacted at around 10:47 p.m. with reports that someone had been shot. Once they arrived at the scene, officers found a victim with two gunshot wounds. They began to provide first aid while emergency medical personnel made their way to the scene. The victim was hospitalized, and their condition was not specified in the DBPD’s statement. This incident is believed to have begun with a verbal disagreement between multiple people. No suspect has been named, and officers are actively investigating. Cruisin Cafe – Atlantic Avenue The fourth shooting incident was called in at around 11:16 p.m. The Daytona Beach Police Department was contacted about a brawl with weapons at Cruisin Cafe near the Daytona Sling Shot just west of the Main Street Pier. Witnesses told officers that a ‘large multi-person fight’ had occurred in front of the cafe. At some point during the exchange, someone was said to have pulled a gun and fired. One person was struck, the DBPD says. The victim was given first aid and later hospitalized. No suspect has been named in this case, and the investigation is active as of Monday morning.