A day after the shootings interrupted spring break in Miami Beach, hordes of rebellious revelers, not afraid to make a ruckus, returned to Ocean Drive to keep the party going.
Unlike last year, Miami Beach Police did not impose a curfew after two shootings in South Beach’s busiest neighborhood. Police said the shooting was an isolated incident during a week of relative turmoil in the party district. According to the Miami Herald.
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said: “Given that this was an isolated incident that occurred just before midnight and the crowd was otherwise calm, a systematic curfew would be justified and the law enforced.” It would be difficult to defend.
He was arrested on St. Patrick’s Day night after gunshots rang out on the island’s main drive, which was closed to traffic and packed with revelers. One died and another was released from the hospital after one of his was injured. Dozens of people were evacuated.
Four guns were recovered at the scene, and the suspect was “fully cooperating,” the newspaper said. It was unclear if he was charged with the fatal shooting.
“While the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to release the identities of all parties involved,” the department tweeted on Sunday. “Miami Beach Police Department staffing continues to strengthen and is receiving support from neighboring law enforcement agencies.”
Ronnie, a 22-year-old from Pittsburgh, told the newspaper that he was only a few feet away from 7th Avenue and the gunshots of the sea.
“No one is trying to dodge bullets on vacation,” she reportedly said while back partying at the crime scene on Saturday.
“It’s always fun regardless, but you guys need to relax with that shooter,” she said, adding, “Some people are trying to recreate ‘Scarface’ here.”
The day after the shooting, more than 100 spring breakers gathered at a nearby beach to drink and dance to Afro beats, Billboard hits and reggaeton, the newspaper said.
“I haven’t been to South Beach for a while,” said Peter Sint, a 23-year-old from Miami-Dade who was worried about the potential for more bloodshed.
“We play it by ear and see how drunk [the crowd gets]”
“There’s a lot of people here who just think that something is going to happen at some point,” he was quoted as saying.
