(Newswire.net — September 30, 2014) — The chaotic scene broke out about 1am on Sunday morning, sending terrified patrons scrambling from the Miami nightclub “The Spot”.
CNN affiliate WPLG said a large party was being held when shooting broke out. Witnesses told police they heard about 100 gunshots, WPLG reported.
“At this point, we are not sure if we have one shooter or multiple shooters,” police spokeswoman Frederica Burden said. No arrests had been made by late Sunday.
Police have yet to determine whether good surveillance video exists to help in the investigation, WPLG said. The club had recently begun to allow teen parties on the weekends, the affiliate reported.
Capt. Ignatius Carroll of Miami Fire Rescue said the scene was chaotic when emergency medical personnel arrived. Wounded people were found inside the club and on the sidewalk, he said.
“We understand there was a gathering taking place at some sort of little nightclub,” he said. “We had a large crowd.” Rescuers found wounded people inside and outside the club, some too hurt to flee, Capt. Carroll said.
The first emergency crews arriving on the scene were warned to use caution ‘because there was still active shooting taking place in the area, said Carroll. One male was found unresponsive and not breathing when emergency responders arrived. “Five girls between 11 and 17 years old also suffered gunshot wounds, “ Carroll said.
Police spokeswoman Frederica Burden said the victims ranged in age from 11 to 25 and were taken to area hospitals.
At least one person was reported in critical condition but the extent of the other injuries wasn’t immediately known.
Several victims were released from hospitals Sunday afternoon and a person who’d earlier been listed as critical was upgraded to critical but stable, police said in a news release.
It’s not clear whether the nightclub catered to teenagers. No public safety officials have explained why so many youths 16 and younger were inside a nightclub after the midnight.
Authorities are still looking for a motive for the shooting.
She said it was not immediately clear who or how many fired weapons and what prompted the gunfire. No arrests or suspects had been reported by Sunday afternoon.