HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) - An overnight shooting in Hollywood left two people dead and sent two others to the hospital, police said.
Hollywood Police units responded to the scene of the incident along the 2900 block of Hollywood Boulevard, near the corner with Jaycee Boulevard, early Sunday morning.
Video showed crime scene investigators working with flashlights and placing evidence markers.
Detectives said the shooting took place at around 1:30 a.m. near Jaycees Hall. The venue was being used for a family celebration.
“It wasn’t a crazy party going on; it was just – they’d just had it set up like a baby shower, so I don’t understand why somebody would have gotten involved in a shooting,” said Debra Gronvold, the manager of Jaycee Hall. “Not only was it her baby celebration but it was also their 10th wedding anniversary, so I let them go a little bit longer. Every room we have, the times are different.”
Investigators said the shooting happened in a grassy area next to the parking lot of the event venue.
“They heard gunshots from the outside, and the next thing they knew, the police were all there, ’cause I guess somebody called about gunshots,” said Gronvold.
Responding officers arrived to find the four victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
“One of those people did pass away from their injuries on scene,” said Hollywood Police spokesperson Deanna Bettineschi.
Paramedics rushed the other three victims to Memorial Regional Hospital, where a second victim later died.
One of the victims was identified as 44-year-old Octavius Jackson, who played football at Carol City High.
In 1998, the Sun Sentinel named Jackson as a top four recruit playing for Florida State University.
Authorities said the shooting took place following an altercation.
“We’re not sure if it was a friend, a guest of the clients. They said no, they don’t know who it was,” said Gronvold.
Although several persons of interest have been identified, no arrests have yet been made as of Sunday evening.
“What we can tell you is that we do believe that this is an isolated incident,” said Bettineschi,
“Please everybody, love your neighbor, stop with the violence,” Gronvold said.
Detectives said they’re still looking for the subject responsible.
Detectives urge anyone with information regarding this investigation or the subject’s whereabouts to contact the Hollywood Police Department at 954-764-4357 (HELP), 954-967-4567, or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 (TIPS).
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.