Gunman opens fire during St Patrick’s Day celebrations at busy bar on Jacksonville Beach as police warn locals to shelter in place

One person was killed and two others were injured after a gunman opened fire in a busy bar on Florida’s Jacksonville Beach.

When gunshots rang out, people ran onto the beach to escape the terror.

Revelers ran onto the sand in sheer fear as gunshots rang out.

According to the local television station, the incident reportedly occurred near the Jacksonville Beach pier near 2nd Ave N and 1st St N. WJXT.

Jacksonville Beach police said they were responding to an active shooter incident downtown Sunday evening just after 9 p.m.

The department has asked people in the area to shelter in place until the all clear.

One of the three injured people was loaded into the back of an ambulance in downtown Jacksonville Beach on Sunday

The blue lights of police cars could be seen from the beach at Jacksonville Beach

Jacksonville Beach police said they were responding to an active shooter incident in the downtown area on Sunday evening just after 9 p.m.

READ ALSO  Kim Kardashian hides under a black hoodie as she dashes to plastic surgeon's office in Beverly Hills with no makeup on

The downtown area was busy with many partygoers celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and enjoying spring break.

“If you have any information that can help us, please call 904-270-1661,” read a post on the police department’s Facebook page and the Jacksonville Beach Emergency Preparedness X account.

Law enforcement agencies across the state of Florida have been on heightened alert as the popular spring break holiday approaches.

Earlier this month, Governor DeSantis said 17 law enforcement agencies had requested additional Florida Highway Patrol troopers to help patrol their communities due to spring break.

However, the Jacksonville Beach Police Department was not one of them.

This is a groundbreaking story – more to come…