Jacksonville Beach police and city officials are warning residents after a weekend teen takeover event ended with four juveniles and one adult shot. The incident comes just one week after another unpermitted teen gathering at the Avenues Mall.

According to police, they first learned about the planned takeover from local school police. An Instagram post promoting the unpermitted event is believed to be tied to the same group involved in the previous mall takeover.

Detectives monitored the social media account over several days as interest in the event increased.

From February 16 through February 19, police tracked the post’s engagement rising from 619 likes to more than 1,200.

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Despite advanced monitoring efforts, increased enforcement presence, and coordination with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, violence broke out during the event.

Five people were shot during the chaos, including four juveniles and one adult.

Authorities said those injured are expected to recover.

No arrests have been made at this time, and the investigation remains ongoing.

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Commander Crumley of the Jacksonville Beach Police Department addressed the violence following the incident.

“Why did this turn to this? Why is violence always the solution where it shouldn’t be… that’s the biggest question when you have time to think about it,” Crumley said.

Police said surveillance cameras positioned throughout the beach area played a key role in tracking crowd movement and documenting what occurred.

However, Crumley noted that technology alone cannot prevent such events.

“Being a beach community, we have to pull a whole lot of additional resources out during the beautiful time of the year, just to make sure that the public has a safe place to come and enjoy the beach,” he said.

Residents in the area say gatherings like this have become more common.

Ashlee Joseph, who lives nearby, said the ongoing incidents have not come as a surprise.

“It doesn’t faze me much,” Joseph said.

She also pointed to restrictions at the Orange Park Mall, suggesting that when teens are prevented from gathering at one location, they may move to another.

City leaders are calling on parents to remain aware of their children’s activities, particularly when events are being organized through social media.

In a statement following the shooting, officials said, “These takeover events are promoted heavily on social media and can escalate quickly, even when they appear harmless at first. Parents are encouraged to talk with their teens about the risks.”

Commander Crumley echoed that message, urging families to take an active role.

“Please be parents. Please be involved in your children’s lives. Know where they’re going, know what they’re doing. If you see them or hear them talking about these takeover events, urge them not to let them participate,” he said.

Authorities say another teen takeover is reportedly planned for this coming weekend.

Jacksonville Beach police said they are deploying all available resources in an effort to prevent a repeat of the violence that unfolded during the recent event.

Law enforcement officials continue to review video evidence and gather information related to the shooting.

As the investigation proceeds, police are urging the community to report tips that could assist in identifying those responsible.

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