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Jacksonville Beach ramps up St. Patrick’s Day security following last year’s violence

Last year, three separate shootings on St. Patrick’s Day left a 21-year-old man dead and three others injured

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – On this date one year ago, three separate shootings in Jacksonville Beach overshadowed the festivities that usually accompany St. Patrick’s Day, leaving a 21-year-old man named James Jones III dead and three others injured.

RELATED: 1 dead, 3 hurt in 3 separate shootings in downtown Jacksonville Beach during busy St. Patrick’s Day | Timeline of St. Patrick’s Day shootings in Jacksonville Beach

To prevent those events from happening this year, police are out in full force to ensure the safety of beachgoers and holiday celebrations at the bars and nightclubs.

People lined up outside of a bar in Jacksonville Beach on St. Patrick's Day 2025. (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.)

Last year, an organized event near the beach’s pier drew large crowds as Spring Break, St. Patrick’s Day and the end of The 2024 Players Championship led to packed bars in the area.

The event was advertised on social media, but the organizers didn’t go through the city to get a permit, which meant there was no security.

Eventually, gunfire erupted, which led to police saying that this year, they’re cracking down on unpermitted events on the beach while also actively stationing certain officers away from the beach to be in “full force.”

Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman said she expects an “enjoyable, great night” for those looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the beach.

“We’re always busy on big holiday weekends like this, [but] our police department is prepared, and I give a lot of credit to our bar and restaurant owners,” Hoffman said. “They do a great job screening people who are coming in and making sure everyone inside the establishment and out has a safe and enjoyable time at the beach.”

As the sun went down, activity picked up along the beach, specifically around Lynch’s Irish Pub, where a line extended out the door around 10 p.m.


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Award-winning broadcast and multimedia journalist with 20 years experience.

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