Two Teenagers Dead And 17 Injured In Florida Nightclub Shooting

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Two teenagers, aged 14 and 18, have been killed in a shooting at a youth club night

Two Teenagers Dead And 17 Injured In Florida Nightclub Shooting

At least two teenagers have been killed and 17 others injured in a nightclub in Fort Myers, Florida, the local police department said on Monday

The attack happened at Club Blu, which was hosting a party for teenagers.

Police have detained three people for questioning in connection to the shootings and have confirmed that the incident was “not an act of terror”.

The BBC reports:

The two killed were identified as 18-year-old Ste’fan Strawder, a leading local high school basketball player and 14-year-old Sean Archilles.

Jean Archilles, Sean’s father, said his son loved football and basketball. “He liked to make people laugh. He’s a funny kid. He’s always joking.”

The victims of the attack were between 12 and 27 years old. A hospital spokeswoman said four people remained in hospital with serious injuries. Police are still investigating the motive behind the attack.

‘Dodging bullets’
Shots were fired outside in the club’s car park where witnesses described the scene to reporters as a “mad house”.

Syreeta Gary, whose daughter was at the club, told the local Fox 4 news channel: “I just thank God that my daughter is OK because she could have been shot,” adding that, at one point, her daughter was “dodging bullets and running dropping between cars”.

“It’s ridiculous that these kids have to go through this, they can’t enjoy themselves because you have other people there who have criminalistic minds – they just want to terrorise things. I’m just glad she’s OK.”

Florida Governor Rick Scott released a statement saying: “I have cancelled my events today to meet with law enforcement and local officials in Fort Myers.

“While we are still learning the details about what happened this morning, we know that some of the victims of this terrible incident were children. We will continue to pray for the victims and their families.”

The club hosted a swimsuit party on Sunday night where no ID was required, according to a flyer. Florida state records show the alcohol licence for the club was revoked on 7 June last year. Another official notice was served to the club in 2014 for criminal activity.

Club Blu said the shooting happened as the party ended and parents arrived to pick up their children. The club expressed its deep sorrow over the incident in a statement on Facebook.

 

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