Teen hospitalised after Clearwater Beach shooting sparks panic near Pier 60

A teenaged boy was hospitalised after a shooting near Clearwater Beach on Sunday evening, as police responded to large crowds and disturbances close to Pier 60 and the Wyndham Grand Resort.

Clearwater police said officers were called to Coronado Drive at about 5:15 PM following reports of gunfire.

The 17-year-old was taken to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital with injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.

Witness Annette Vargas told 10 Tampa Bay News she heard gunshots while leaving a nearby store with her family.

“We heard three gunshots. Boom, boom, boom!” Vargas said, describing how crowds of teenagers began running and shouting that someone had been shot.

She said panic spread across the beach area as more disturbances broke out nearby.

Clearwater Deputy Police Chief Michael Walek later told reporters the gathering had been organised through social media and involved “a bunch of kids acting like kids”.

Walek said multiple individuals were detained and police also checked local hospitals for additional victims linked to the incident.

“Some of those people who gathered decided to break the law tonight. That type of behavior cannot and will not be tolerated,” Walek said.

Authorities said officers had prepared for large crowds after becoming aware of the planned gathering through the department’s threat management unit.