MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach is known to be a tourist mecca.
From restaurants to parks and sandy beaches, people flock to the city for a good time. But as of late, shootings have sent people scattering and ducking for cover -- literally.
Multiple shots were heard about 12:35 a.m. Tuesday along Ocean Drive at Fifth Street. Multiple shell casings could be seen in the area, but no one was injured in the shooting.
Miami Beach police spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez said three people were being interviewed at police headquarters. A car and firearms were recovered along MacArthur Causeway, Rodriguez said.
Serif Anlar recalls the frightening moment that when he heard the gunfire.
He was working at a cafe along Ocean Drive and Fifth Street at the time.
"We are so scared," he said.
Bullet holes pierced the wall right outside the business.
Witnesses said they heard multiple shots and said that men who were armed with guns, began shooting at another group, who were also armed.
"They start to fire at each other, you know, the shell – tah, tah, tah," Anlar said. ]
No one was hurt in the shooting and witnesses believe it may have stemmed from a fight that happened earlier in the night.
Mitch Novick, who owns the Sherbrooke Hotel along Ninth Street and Collins Avenue was a few block away from where the shooting took place.
He said criminal activity happens around his property almost every day.
Miami Beach police said they have stepped up their presence along what they call the "entertainment district" which encompasses Ocean Drive in between Fifth Street and 15th Street.
Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Grieco said funding has been provided for an additional 12 officers to patrol this entertainment district.
He also condemned the latest shooting.
"This is another unfortunate case of bad people coming to our city and feeling comfortable doing bad things, " Grieco said in a statement. "I am confident that with the right tools and policy, such as the recent increase in police manpower and getting our cops out of cruisers and on foot or on bicycles, our department can create a safer environment for our residents and guests, while criminals stay home."