This post has been updated.
There’s been a mass shooting at a nightclub in Fort Myers, Florida.
Two people have been killed and up to 16 more injured at Club Blu Bar and Grill, which was reportedly hosting a party for teenagers. The police were alerted to the shooting at around 12.30am local time, when gunfire broke out in the car park. Witnesses described the scene as “a mad house“ to local media, where people ran away and then desperately called out for loved ones.
Club Blu released a statement on Facebook, apologizing to all those that have been hurt. The statement notes there were armed security, inside and out, and that the incident took place when parents were picking up their children. The night was geared to teens aged 12 to 17. The statement notes:
We are deeply sorry for all involved. We tried to give the teens WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS A SAFE PLACE TO HAVE A GOOD TIME. Ages 12-17. There was armed security as well as full security,inside and out. As the club was closing and parents were picking their children up…..that’s when all this took place. There was nothing more we could of done az you see it was not kids at the party that did this despicable act. Our condolences to all parties involved.
Injuries to the survivors range from minor to life-threatening. The victims, who have yet to be identified, have been transported from the scene to the local hospital.
Police are investigating at least two other scenes, which are reportedly connected with the incident. Police have detained a “person of interest” at a second location. The police have yet to release further information on the motive behind the crime, but said the scene was still active as they continue their investigation.
The shooting follows the massacre in Orlando last month when a gunman went into a LGBT club and killed around 50 people. It was the worst death toll from a mass shooting in US history.