The Players Championship has delayed the start of Saturday’s third round following a shooting incident that took place in a Walgreens parking lot nearby, resulting in two fatalities.
St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick held a press conference early Saturday, revealing that authorities had received multiple reports regarding gunfire in the parking lot around 10:30 p.m. on Friday, just a mile from the tournament venue.
Hardwick stated, “Two people were shot multiple times. Naturally, both were transported and succumbed to their injuries,” mentioning that the incident was linked to domestic violence.
Law enforcement officers pursued 32-year-old Christian Barrios, who was reportedly traced back to TPC Sawgrass. “Our K-9 unit tracked him to the TPC. The PGA Tour headquarters is located there. We followed him to that area,” Hardwick explained.
The suspect allegedly interacted with several individuals at the course, including groundskeepers and security staff, and even picked up a PGA Tour radio before abandoning it.
Barrios then reportedly stole a black BMW and fled, leading authorities on a chase that ended in a wooded area where he ultimately fled on foot.
He was apprehended by Nassau County Sheriff’s Office just before 8 a.m. His charges are yet to be disclosed, but Hardwick indicated that Barrios has a lengthy criminal record. “This thug’s criminal history is shameful and embarrassing,” he remarked.
The Players Championship cited “administrative considerations” as the reason for delaying the opening of the gates, though the tea time for competitors remains unchanged.
As of now, the identities of the victims have not been released, but Hardwick noted that the suspect was acquainted with them.
