Coast Guard is investigating alleged shooting in waters near Key West

The Coast Guard launched a criminal investigation Wednesday after a report of a shooting in the waters southwest of the Marquesas Keys, about 20 miles west of Key West.

According to the Coast Guard, a call came in from a 20-foot pleasure boat reporting that shots had been fired in the boat's “general direction” from a 45-foot fishing vessel.

The boats were about 20 nautical miles — about 23 miles — southwest of the Marquesas Keys, an island chain near Key West in the Florida Keys. A Coast Guard Station Key West boat crew headed to the scene as did the Coast Guard Cutter William Trump crew and an aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami. U.S. Customs and Border Protection also launched a boat crew.

Both boats were escorted to the port.

The Coast Guard Investigative Service is investigating the incident. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is looking into whether there were possible fisheries violations.

This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 9:56 PM with the headline "Coast Guard is investigating alleged shooting in waters near Key West."