St Patrick's Day shootings: One dead and three injured in three separate gun attacks during festivities in Jacksonville Beach where up to 400 Spring breakers were celebrating

One person has been killed and three others injured after three separate shootings erupted within an hour in the beachfront Bar District at Jacksonville Beach in Florida.

Upwards of 400 spring breakers had gathered under the pier for planned fights when shots rang out on St Patrick's Day, sending the crowd rushing out onto the beach in order to escape the terror. 

The initial shooting saw a bystander get struck by gunfire when two people starting shooting at each other outside the Best Western Hotel near the boardwalk, Jacksonville Beach Police revealed during a press conference Monday morning.

A second incident was reported less than 30 minutes later when a gunman opened fire in the parking lot of the Ritz Bar. No one was injured in this shooting.

One person was killed in a third shooting, which broke out near Sneakers Bar, involving three suspects who displayed guns. It is unclear if the deceased was a suspect or innocent bystander.

Police have not arrested any shooters at this time. The downtown district and bar area, as well as the beachfront, were 'locked down' Sunday night and will remain shut down until further notice.

People could be seen running onto Jacksonville Beach to escape from the gunshots on Sunday night in the Bar District

One of three people injured could be seen being loaded into the back of ambulance on Sunday at downtown Jacksonville Beach 

Police are investigating three separate shootings erupted within an hour in the beachfront Bar District at Jacksonville Beach in Florida on Sunday night

Police received intel of a planned fight under the Jacksonville Beach Pier at around 2pm on Sunday. 

Between 250 and 400 individuals had gathered at the location to participate in boxing matches, fights and 'other incidents' before officers stepped in.

The shootings erupted when the crowds were dispersed, Jacksonville Beach Police told the press conference. 

The department said first shooting was reported around 7.50pm when two individuals started firing guns near the Best Western Hotel.

An innocent bystander and both shooters, who police referred to as 'victim-suspects', were injured in the incident. They are in serious condition.

A second shooting broke out in the parking lot outside the Ritz Bar. A man wearing a ski mask fired shots while running in front of businesses at 8.13pm, before dumping the pistol.

The weapon was recovered by police and no one was injured in the incident. The suspect remains at large.

One person was killed in the third shooting which unfolded at around 8.31pm behind Sneakers Bar, prompting police to issue an active shooter alert.

Investigators are looking for three suspects who displayed guns during the incident. 

Police have not made any arrests of the shooters at this time, but did reveal that one of the suspects does have ties to a gang. The incidents remain under investigation. 

Shell casings can be seen on the ground at a Jacksonville Beach parking lot

Police shut down an eight block area of the beachfront and Bar District area

The blue lights of police cars could be seen from the beach area of Jacksonville Beach

Police have now completely shut down the beachfront bar district area while the suspects are still at large

The downtown area had been packed with drinkers on Sunday night for St. Patrick's Day and Spring Break

Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman, left, said the violence may be the result of 'several different incidents' that were 'potentially unrelated'. Sgt Tonya Tator, right, with the Jacksonville Beach Police confirmed the shooting happened out in the open rather than in a bar

Revelers ran onto the sands in sheer terror Sunday night as gunshots could be heard ringing out from the boardwalk. 

'We got here and everybody was safe and next thing you know there was things going down,' the owner of Salt Bar & Restaurant, who witnessed the chaos unfold, told News4Jax Sunday night.

'People got scared. There was a few people who were worried about getting shot from blind bullets, but the boardwalk is a public beach and sometimes people come out that maybe shouldn't be here.'

Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith said on Monday morning that the force may increase patrols in wake of the shootings. 

'I'm not gonna give away my hand. I'm, I'd like it to be a surprise. You can probably bet if you know me that yeah, we're gonna be doing some things,' he told Action News Jax Now.

He revealed that 'intel' from investigators would 'drive our efforts' moving forward.

Jacksonville Beach Mayor Chris Hoffman branded the incidents as 'senseless violence' that is not something the community 'routinely' sees.

She told the news outlet Monday morning that she wanted to 'reassure people that this is a safe community', where people both live and come to 'have fun and play'.

'We want to just make sure that we can ensure that everyone who comes out here safe and has an enjoyable time as they visit Jacksonville Beach,' she added.

Hofmann attended the scene on Sunday night to show support for officers. Multiple agencies were at the scene from across the region. 

People could be seen milling around on the street outside after the first set of gunshots rang out

One of the three people who were shot was hit in a city parking lot

Police could be seen gathering evidence late into the night, in the hours following the shooting

Jacksonville Beach Police Department said they were working an active shooter incident in the downtown area just after 9pm on Sunday night.

Sergeant Tonya Tator with the Jacksonville Beach Police issued an appeal for witnessing to come forward.

'If anyone knows or sees anything, they are asked to call the Jacksonville Beach Police Department', Tator told reporters in the immediate aftermath.

The downtown area was busy with plenty of revelers celebrating St. Patrick's Day and enjoying Spring Break. Hofmann said business owners acted bravely on what was a particularly busy weekend.

'We have a lot going on out here. The fact we had a couple of bad actors out here that really made a dangerous situation for everyone is extremely tragic and unfortunate,' Hoffman said to First Coast News after on Sunday.

Law enforcement agencies have been on heightened alert across the entire state of Florida with the popular Spring Break getaway underway. 

Earlier this month, Governor DeSantis said 17 law enforcement agencies had requested extra Florida Highway Patrol troopers to help patrol their communities because of spring breakers. 

The Jacksonville Beach Police Department, however, was not one of them. 

If you have any information about the shooting, call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500.