Fireworks, Not Gunfire, Sparked July 4th Panic At Bayside
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Chaos erupted after what sounded like gunshots were heard at Miami's Bayside Marketplace following a July 4th fireworks show.
The show was wrapping up when several large bangs were heard which sounded like they were coming across the street from Bayside. This prompted some in the crowd leaving the outdoor shopping mall to panic. Miami police are now saying they are certain that there were no shots fired. They believe it was a prank set off using firecrackers.
"I did see a couple of people tripping, it's unfortunate that a prank could have caused this," said Miami police spokesman Rene Pimentel.
Prank or not, thousands thought it was gunfire and it sent people into panic as they ran back towards Bayside. Moments later there was another incident inside Bayside, that also sounded like gunfire, but was later determined to be just firecrackers.
"Now you have people coming in and people coming out colliding," said Pimentel. "It was a little bit of a frantic situation for some people."
Witnesses described people running scared and screaming as the marketplace was evacuated. People not only ran into the streets to try and get away, some jumped into the water while other hid behind pilars and boats.
One woman visiting from Atlanta said she's not surprised at what happened.
"That would be the first thing you would do, run behind something. With all the things that are happening in the world, with terrorist acts, you've got no idea," she said.
"Mass chaos took place here, people were running for cover, ready to get out of Bayside and as a result we had numerous injuries as a result of people trampling over one another," said Miami Fire Rescue Captain Ignatius Carroll.
Two kids who went missing during the evacuation were found safe. Most of those who were hurt had leg injuries, cuts, bumps and bruises. Ten people were treated at the scene, five were taken to the hospital.
Miami police said a similar incident happened on December 31st when there were fireworks at Bayside.
"A bunch of juveniles in the area set off firecrackers," said Pimentel. "There's a heard mentality for people to just start running."
Police detained one man who had a gun. They questioned him, he had a permit and was released.
