Pensacola youth gathering shooting kills one, injures six

A shooting at a large, unsanctioned youth gathering in Pensacola, Florida, early Sunday morning left one person dead and six others injured, according to local police. The incident occurred as hundreds of unaccompanied young people had congregated downtown amid Independence Day celebrations.

Pensacola Police Chief Eric Winstrom told reporters that officers who were nearby responded to gunshots around 1:20 a.m. and provided first aid to the victims. A 19-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. The six other victims, ranging in age from 16 to 26, sustained injuries and are expected to survive.

Chief Winstrom said investigators believe the attack was targeted and not a random act of violence, adding that there may have been more than one shooter involved. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. The police chief emphasized the potential for greater tragedy, noting the presence of very young people in the crowd when the shots were fired.

Separately from the shooting investigation, police arrested several individuals at the gathering for unrelated reasons. One man was taken into custody after he was seen throwing fireworks while armed with a handgun. Winstrom...