Police, FBI need help identifying more people ‘involved’ in Hollywood Beach shooting
Police and the FBI are asking for the public’s help to identify three more suspects “involved” in the Hollywood Beach mass shooting that left four children and five adults injured on Memorial Day.
Two 18-year-old men were arrested Monday night a few blocks away from the crime scene on the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk near Johnson Street and are facing gun charges in connection to the shooting. Investigators also recovered five guns of which two were stolen from Miami-Dade County and Texas respectively, Hollywood police said Tuesday morning in a news release.
Morgan Deslouches of Hollywood is facing charges of grand theft of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and removing or altering the serial number from a gun after police say they found a black Smith & Wesson inside a bag hanging from his left shoulder. Keshawn Paul Stewart of Dania Beach was arrested on a charge of carrying a concealed firearm after officers said they spotted a fully loaded semi-automatic 9mm handgun inside a backpack he was carrying.
Stewart, who pleaded not guilty in court on Wednesday, remained behind bars at Broward County’s Main Jail while Deslouches has since been released on a $20,000 bail, records show.
.jpg "unnamed (38).jpg")
READ MORE: Two arrested in Hollywood Beach shooting that left 9 wounded on Memorial Day
Investigators on Tuesday released video surveillance and blurry stills of the security footage in hopes to identify three additional people who they believe are involved in the shooting. Detectives didn’t give descriptions of the trio nor did they specify how they are involved in the shooting.
Police are yet to determine who shot nine people.
.jpg "unnamed (37).jpg")
What happened?
Around 6:45 p.m. Monday, police rushed to the scene after am altercation between two groups escalated to gunfire on the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk — prompting thousands of Memorial Day beach-goers to hysterically scatter and duck for cover.
READ MORE: ‘It’s time to go:’ Frantic 911 calls reveal chaos during Hollywood Beach mass shooting
The city’s web cameras captured the chaos that ensued: People running away from the gun shots, a woman trying to cover a kid with her body and others carrying babies and toddlers to safety.
READ MORE: Two arrested in Hollywood Beach shooting. Businesses say security a growing concern
First responders took the victims to Memorial Regional Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood. One of the wounded was undergoing surgery as of 10:30 p.m. Monday; the others were already stable. The children’s ages range from 1 to 17 years; the adults’ ages range from 25 to 65, Bettineschi told reporters Monday night.
The names of the wounded haven’t been released. On Wednesday, Memorial Healthcare System, which owns the children’s hospital, said in an email that four minors remained hospitalized in stable condition.
Hollywood police chief: ‘A senseless act’
At a press conference Monday night, Police Chief Chris O’Brien called it a “senseless act of gun violence.” He also thanked the first responders and good samaritans who helped the victims and asserted the officers will track down the “criminals.”
“We will leave no stone unturned,” he said. “These that were involved in the incident today will he held accountable for their actions.”
How can I submit a tip?
The FBI is asking for the public’s help in identifying the people involved in the shooting. Videos and photos can be submitted online at fbi.gov/hollywoodbeachmemorialdayshooting. Tipsters may also call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Anyone with information about the shooting is also encouraged to contact the Hollywood Police Department at 954-764-4357(HELP) or 954-967-4567. Tipsters can e-mail or text any video or photos they may have to hollywoodpdtips@hollywoodfl.org. Information can also be given anonymously to Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477(TIPS) or browardcrimestoppers.org.
This story was originally published May 30, 2023 at 5:20 PM.
