Midday traffic along Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard in Daytona Beach was shattered Wednesday when a shooting left one person critically injured, authorities said.
Police said officers were called around 12:35 p.m. to the 800 block of the busy corridor for a report of a person shot. By the time they got there, the suspect had already taken off. The wounded victim was rushed to a hospital and was listed in critical condition, according to officials.
What police said
According to ClickOrlando, the Daytona Beach Police Department said in a news release that officers responded after a shooting was reported in the area. Investigators described the case as active and ongoing and asked people to steer clear of the immediate vicinity so officers could work the scene without interference.
So far, detectives have not released any description of the suspect.
How this fits with recent violence
This latest burst of gunfire lands in the middle of an already tense season for the Daytona Beach area. Local officials have been grappling with a string of violent incidents this spring, including multiple unrelated shootings during a packed March weekend that stretched law enforcement and required an expanded response, according to earlier local coverage.
As reported by Observer Local News, several separate shooting investigations were still active in mid-March, underscoring how quickly celebrations along the coast can flip into crime scenes.
How to help
Detectives are now counting on witnesses to help fill in the gaps from Wednesday’s shooting.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Daytona Beach Police Department. The department lists a non-emergency line at 386-248-1777, along with an online “Submit a Tip” portal. In any emergency, residents should call 911. Officials said they plan to release more details as the investigation moves forward.
