Police are responding to claims that there was a mass shooting at Florida’s Hollywood Beach Memorial Day celebrations.

Police ordered the public to stay away from the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk on Monday due to an ongoing shooting investigation, as several persons were taken to the hospital.

On a busy Florida boardwalk over the Memorial Day holiday, at least seven individuals were shot, including a 15-year-old.

The gunshots began on Monday just before 8 o’clock at Hollywood Beach, close to Miami, in the vicinity of the 1200 block of North Boardwalk. It’s thought that at least three of the victims were children.

Online footage captured the exact moment gunfire broke out on the well-known gathering place. When gunfire began to ring out close to the Margaritaville resort, the audience frantically dispersed in search of safety and a safe distance from the threat.

Other footage from the incident showed first responders tending to a number of casualties as they lay on the sand.

Several others were also seen being handcuffed by police, according to Local 10 News. It is unknown if anyone has been detained and accused of involvement in the assault.

Hospital officials report that several youngsters are receiving treatment at their institutions, and the incident has been labeled as one involving a large number of casualties.

in least five patients were being treated in the trauma center at Memorial Regional, according to Yanet Obarrio Sanchez, a spokesperson for Memorial Healthcare System, who talked to NBC Miami. Their health status is unclear.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel was informed by Hollywood Beach Mayor Josh Levy that paramedics were on the scene and some patients had been brought to the hospital.

‘It seemed like people might have gotten caught in the crossfire. But I can’t verify that,’ Levy said. 

Police added that as the investigation goes on Monday night, there will still be a significant police presence at the location.

For the previous few days, the beach has experienced a surge in visitors due to the three-day weekend. Hollywood Beach is situated around 20 miles north of Miami and 11 miles south of Fort Lauderdale.