A late-night confrontation on Port Aransas Beach early Sunday, March 15, ended in gunfire, leaving five people shot and taken to local hospitals, according to police. Authorities said several of the victims were critically or seriously injured, and the investigation remains active. Port Aransas police also said some suspects were detained for questioning while officers worked the scene.
What officials say
In a video first shared with local outlets, City of Port Aransas Police Chief James Stokes said the call about the shooting came in around midnight from an area near Beach Marker 20 and that the incident "appears to have stemmed from an altercation that occurred." As reported by MySA, Stokes said the number of people shot was initially reported as four before officials updated the count to five.
Victims, suspects and the scene
Stokes told reporters that all five victims were transported to nearby hospitals and that he believed two were in critical condition while two others sustained serious injuries. Authorities have not released the victims' names or additional medical details, and they declined to specify any charges as detectives continue interviews. The Port Aransas South Jetty posted the initial video of Chief Stokes' remarks online, according to Port Aransas South Jetty.
Not the first time the beach has seen violence
Drive-on stretches of the Mustang Island shoreline have seen gun violence in recent years, and a March 2024 beach shooting in the area left one man dead and another hospitalized, prompting a multiagency investigation and arrest warrants. That earlier case led to renewed emphasis on enforcement and crowd control during busy weekends, reporting shows. Local coverage of the 2024 incident is available from KRIS 6.
Police appeal for witnesses
Port Aransas police said the probe remains active and asked anyone with video or information to come forward. Per the City of Port Aransas, tips can be reported to the Port Aransas Police Department at (361) 749-6241; callers should dial 911 for emergencies. Officials said they will release more verified information as it becomes available.
