Shake the wood!
About 20 Army Rangers have reportedly been suspended following the emergence of a startling video that shows soldiers allegedly firing blank rounds on busy beaches in Florida during a local pirate festival.
Eighteen soldiers from the 6th Ranger Training Battalion at Camp Prader are under scrutiny for using automatic weapons without authorization while taking part in a simulated “Battle of the Sea” at the Billy Bowreg Spyrates Festival on Crab Island in Destin.
In a clip shared widely on social media, soldiers in a small boat can be seen surrounded by swimmers and other vessels, firing shots into the air along Fort Walton Beach, alarming beachgoers.
“Is that true?” one woman can be heard yelling in disbelief in one of the videos.
Attendees of the festival reported that the unexpected gunfire caused panic among sailors nearby.
“This is unacceptable,” stated Michael Ingram, a local charter boat captain. “There are actual mass shootings occurring in the U.S. every year. You can’t joke about it.”
The incident took place as the Rangers engaged in a mock maritime battle, during which they fired blanks from a boat directed at a pirate ship they were pretending to “capture.” While the use of dummy rounds had received the green light, city officials clarified that the soldiers did not have permission to fire additional shots afterward.
The city announced on social media that the events on Crab Island were not part of the approved Billy Bowlgus Pirate Festival. They indicated, “A noise warning was issued regarding the timeframe and location of this activity, and no further actions were authorized.”
The unwanted noise reportedly drew the attention of local law enforcement.
Currently, soldiers stationed at Eglin Air Force Base are barred from progressing to the final training stage of the Army Ranger Course—referred to as the swamp stage—until the investigation concludes.
The Army acknowledged awareness of the incident and stated that an investigation is underway to determine accountability based on its findings.
The US military has not yet responded to inquiries for further comments.
