Spring break chaos in Daytona Beach

Spring break festivities have erupted into chaos in Daytona Beach, with multiple incidents already straining law enforcement.

Daytona Beach city officials said they are collaborating with public safety officials to ensure safety after multiple incidents were reported over the weekend, including four shootings.

Gathering spirals out of control

Video footage taken Saturday from a balcony at the Ocean Walk Resort shows people running and deputies responding to the scene.

City Commissioner Stacy Cantu posted on Facebook that the beachside experienced a large unsanctioned spring break gathering, bringing massive crowds to the area.

Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood on Monday said people were crushing water bottles. No shots were fired.

Shots fired in Daytona Beach

Video circulating on social media shows the chaotic moments after several shots were fired on Saturday, around 11 p.m.

The video was recorded on Main Street and N. Coates Street.

The Volusia Sheriff’s Office said the Daytona Beach Police Department is investigating four shootings, but released little detail about each. It’s unclear if the video of the shooting above is one of these four:

• 12:15 a.m. Saturday: At The Joint (308 Seabreeze Ave.) There was a report of one shot fired in the club, but no one was hit. According to witnesses, a male inside the establishment became aggressive, prompting several females within the venue to deploy mace. During the disturbance, the suspect fired a gun, causing panic among patrons, resulting in numerous individuals fleeing the building in various directions
• 12:44 a.m. Saturday: An 18-year-old male from Gainesville was shot and injured at 244 N. Nova Road. Officers were on proactive patrol and observed a
  parking lot filled with vehicles, where they were flagged down to help.
• 10:47 p.m. Saturday: On Kingston and Flanders avenues, a 59-year-old Daytona Beach man was shot and injured after a verbal altercation. No suspect information
  
• 11:15 p.m. Saturday: Officers received reports of a large altercation and a weapons complaint. DBPD said a large multi-person fight had broken out in front of Cruisin Cafe at 2 S. Atlantic Ave., and a 19-year-old female from Atlanta was shot and injured. No suspect information.

South Daytona police officer shot

A South Daytona police officer was shot on Sunday morning following a pursuit that ended in a crash on Interstate 95.

The suspect, 31-year-old Todd Martin, sustained severe burns after barricading himself inside a patrol vehicle that caught fire. He remains in critical condition, POPD said.

The police officer is in good spirits, according to officials.

Daytona Beach mayor addresses incidents

Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry posted this on Facebook:

“This weekend many of us were deeply disturbed by the youth invasion event that took place in Daytona Beach. What happened was unacceptable and it disrupted the safety and peace that our residents, businesses, and visitors deserve.

Our staff is already working closely with our law enforcement partners to review what occurred and to determine what additional resources, tools, and strategies may be needed to better prepare for and respond to events that attempt to overwhelm or disrupt our community. Our priority is always the safety of the people who live here, work here, and visit our city.

I was not aware of any request to designate the area as a special district prior to this event. However, I will always be the first elected official standing up to ensure that our law enforcement community has the resources and support they need to protect our city.

This type of organized activity is a complex challenge faced by communities across the country and it cannot easily be solved. But with continued resolve we will find a way to successfully curb these lawless invasions.”

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