Daytona Beach became a scene of absolute disorder over the weekend as a series of violent incidents forced thousands of vacationers to flee the shoreline. Between Friday, March 13 and Sunday, March 15, 2026, the Daytona Beach Police Department launched investigations into four separate shootings that occurred within the city's primary tourist districts.
While the Volusia Sheriff's Office clarified that none of the gunfire actually took place directly on the sand, the sound of shots ringing out from the nearby boardwalk and streets triggered massive stampedes across the crowded beach.
The violence began Friday night at a local bar on Seabreeze Boulevard following a dispute that escalated when one individual deployed pepper spray and a single shot was fired.
Just an hour later, another shooting occurred in front of a nearby gym, leaving one person hospitalized in stable condition. The chaos intensified on Saturday afternoon when two additional shootings were reported beachside, including a high profile gunfight in front of the Cruisin’ Café on Main Street.
Viral footage taken from hotel balconies at the Ocean Walk Resort captured the terrifying moment thousands of people began running in unison as law enforcement from multiple agencies flooded the area to regain control.
Local residents and visitors have expressed growing frustration over the perceived collapse of order, with some families reporting that they considered cutting their vacations short due to the insane behavior of unruly crowds.
One visitor described the scene as a mess of stopping traffic, twerking, and screaming that made movement impossible for hours.
Despite the intensity of the weekend, Volusia County officials confirmed that all shooting victims are expected to survive their injuries.
Police are currently working to determine if the suspects were specifically visiting for spring break or if the incidents were part of a larger trend of rising gun violence in the region.