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Spring break weekend in Daytona Beach sees shootings, arrests
A busy spring break weekend in Daytona Beach was marked by several shootings, large crowds, and dozens of arrests, authorities said.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said Monday that there was no shooting at Daytona Beach over the weekend, where hundreds of people were celebrating Spring Break. He said people on the beach smashing water bottles may have sounded like gunfire, which caused panic and people to stampede across the beach.
The Daytona Beach Police Department is investigating four shooting incidents that happened over the weekend with the City of Daytona Beach, though none happened at the beach itself.
Video: Sheriff Mike Chitwood talks Spring Break at Daytona Beach
What they're saying:
"There were zero gunshots on the beach. Because what they were doing was crushing a water bottle to make it sound like a gunshot to stampede the crowd," he told reporters during a press conference on Monday morning.
"I was out there, the chief (of Daytona Beach Police Department) was out there. We were in the middle of it. People might not want to hear this, but everybody we came into contact with was polite."
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Volusia Sheriff: No shootings at Daytona Beach | Full speech
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said there were not shootings on Daytona Beach over the weekend, dispelling social media rumors after videos surfaces online showing mass crowds of people running. He said people on the beach were smashing water bottles, which may have sounded like gunshots, and triggered a "stampede" on the beach. He said 133 people were arrested in Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach amid the Spring Break rush. Daytona Beach Police is investigating 4 separate shootings that happened within the City of Daytona Beach, all unrelated to the incident on Daytona Beach.
Sheriff Chitwood said 50 deputies were stationed along the beach. He said a total of 133 people were arrested between Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach for various offenses.
Sheriff: Daytona Beach did not want to declare a special event zone
Sheriff Chitwood said it appears that the event at Daytona Beach was social media driven, he said. He added that the City of Daytona did not request a special event zone.
FOX 35 has reached out to the City of Daytona Beach for comment. Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry issued a statement on Facebook. We've included it below.
According to VSO's website, citing Florida law, a special event is defined as: "an unpermitted activity or event organized or promoted via a social media platform which is attended by 50 or more persons and substantially increases or disrupts the normal flow of traffic on a roadway, street, or highway."
Under designated special event zones, the fine for non-criminal traffic infractions is doubled. Officers can also impound a vehicle for 72 hours, and can set occupancy limits.
What they're saying:
Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry issued the following statement on Monday afternoon via his Facebook page:
"This weekend many of us were deeply disturbed by the youth invasion event that took place in Daytona Beach. What happened was unacceptable and it disrupted the safety and peace that our residents, businesses, and visitors deserve.
Our staff is already working closely with our law enforcement partners to review what occurred and to determine what additional resources, tools, and strategies may be needed to better prepare for and respond to events that attempt to overwhelm or disrupt our community. Our priority is always the safety of the people who live here, work here, and visit our city.
It has been stated that it was requested by the sheriff that the area be designated as a special event district as a result of the planned takeover. I was not informed of any request to designate the area as a special district and would have been first in line to support the request.
This type of organized activity is a complex challenge faced by communities across the country not easily solved. But with continued resolve we will find a way to successfully curb these community takeovers.."
The Source: Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood held a press conference on Monday, March 16, 2026, to address Spring Break at Daytona Beach. He said despite the videos circulating on social media, there was no shooting at the beach. He said people were smashing water bottles, which may have sounded like gunfire and prompted people to stampede.