Watch: Wild scene unfolds on busy Florida beach as suspected teen drug dealer pulls out gun, leads cops on chase into the ocean



Shocking police bodycam video shows officers chasing a suspected teen drug dealer brandishing a gun on a busy Florida beach during spring break.

Police bodycam footage shows a wild scene unfolding in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

The beach was packed with spring breakers when suddenly a fight broke out around 3:45 p.m. on Thursday.

Deputies were directly in the area of the melee and bodycam footage caught the moment that the suspect pulled out a gun on the crowded beach.

An officer countered by wielding his firearm and ordering the gunman, "Hey motherf***er, drop the f***ing gun!"

The suspect disregarded the officer's demands and he sprinted away from the police. With multiple officers pursuing him, the suspect ran into the ocean. Half of a dozen cops stayed on the shore pointing their guns at the suspect, who stood in knee-deep ocean water.

The standoff lasted several minutes until the suspect surrendered to police.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office said in a statement, "Deputies recovered both the gun and the bag from the water. The bag held 20 small plastic baggies of marijuana."

The suspect was identified as 16-year-old Felixander Solis-Guzman.

Police said Solis-Guzman was charged with three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm by a person under 18, improper exhibition of a firearm, commission of a 2nd-degree felony with a weapon, resisting a law enforcement officer, two counts of tampering with evidence, and sale of marijuana.

Solis-Guzman – who is from Lakeland – was also arrested on seven active no-bond warrants out of Orange County, including robbery with a firearm and violation of his probation.

The Office of the State Attorney announced on Friday that Solis-Guzman would be prosecuted as an adult.

State Attorney R.J. Larizza wrote on the X social media platform, "This 16-year-old brought drugs and a gun to Volusia County during Spring Break. He will now face adult charges and serious consequences for his reckless actions. We welcome Spring Breakers, so long as they behave themselves.”

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said on Facebook, "We aren’t playing around in Volusia County. Don’t let your child be the next to come here as a juvenile and end up an adult facing serious criminal charges and years in prison."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

(WARNING: Explicit language)

Video shows teen pull gun in spring break crowd on Florida beach www.youtube.com


Miami Beach declares state of emergency, imposes curfew after fatal shootings, 'stampedes' during spring break



The City of Miami Beach declared a state of emergency Sunday morning after two shootings resulted in two fatalities and "stampedes" caused injuries to several people during spring break.

The City is imposing a curfew beginning 11:59 p.m. Sunday night. The curfew primarily affects South Beach, a popular party spot for spring break revelers. Violators will be subject to arrest.

"We don't ask for spring break in our city. We don't want spring break in our city. It's too rowdy, it's too much disorder and it's too difficult to police," Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said in a video message Sunday, as reported by WFMZ.

Gelber said the crowds and the presence of numerous firearms "created a peril that cannot go unchecked" the outlet also reported.

City Manager Alina T. Hudak signed the declaration Sunday, according to a press release also issued Sunday.

Two shootings over the weekend of March 17 resulted in two fatalities and injuries to others. The incidents also created "stampedes that caused injuries to several people, including two volunteer goodwill ambassadors," the emergency declaration states.

"In response to the two shootings and the excessively large and unruly crowds, and to mitigate dangerous and illegal conduct, the City of Miami Beach has ordered a state of emergency and a 11:59 p.m. curfew to take effect on Sunday, March 19, 2023 through 6 a.m. Monday, March 20, 2023," according to the press release.

Sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption will be prohibited in the curfew area after 6 p.m. on Sunday, the press release also says.

Commercial businesses are to admit their last guests in time to get them out by 11:59, with the exception of hotels. Non hotel businesses may operate during the curfew period for delivery only, according to the city's press release.

The curfew does not apply to the provision of essential services nor to city residents requiring access to or from their homes nor to hotel guests and employees.

"Any violation of these emergency measure(s) shall subject the violator(s) to arrest and
criminal prosecution pursuant to Sections 26-36 and 1-14 of the City Code, or Fla.
Stats. 252.47 and 252.50," according to the press release.

A separate emergency declaration will be implemented to cover Thursday, March 23 through Monday, March 27, according to the five-page emergency declaration. The city will hold a special commission meeting Monday to discuss future restrictions.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Spring break stinker:  5,000-mile-wide seaweed blob creeps toward Florida beaches



Brown bunches of smelly seaweed have already washed up on Florida's beaches as a 5,000-mile-wide raft of Sargassum creeps across the Caribbean, WESH and other outlets reported.

"We’re calling it 'Seaweed-ageddon' because of the size and scope of this," Space Coast Tourism Office executive director Peter Cranis told the outlet.

This year's clump is so large it can be seen from space.

"What other areas have done is literally trucking it off the beach with equipment to put it in dump trucks, taking it off the beach," Cranis also said, noting it has not hit central Florida as badly as other areas.

According to Cranis, it is a matter of "when," not "if" the mass presents a significant issue.

The seaweed is an algal species in the genus Sargassum. The seaweed "blob" is called the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt. The belt is about twice as wide as the United States.

"This is the new normal, and we’re going to have to adapt to it," Brian Lapointe, an oceanographer at Florida Atlantic University who has studied seaweed for decades told Scientific American.

The seaweed problem, which appeared earlier than usual this year, arrives amid another, possibly more worrisome concern, the toxic "red tide." The red tide can cause significant health problems. Florida's Department of Health issued an alert on the matter in February.

Sargassum that is still light in color is fresh, and likely has small marine animals living in it. Those small marine animals can cause skin irritation and itching.

In addition, as it decomposes, Sargassum produces hydrogen sulfide gas. The gas can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation. People with asthma or other respiratory problems may be more sensitive to it, according to the Florida's Department of Health and Human Services.

Both the red tide and Sargassum are associated with foul odors, but for different reasons. The red tide chokes marine animals, which then wash up on the beach and emit a stench as they decompose. Sargassum itself smells of rotten eggs as it washes up on the beach and rots.

University of South Florida oceanographer Chuanmin Hu, who has nearly two decades of experience in studying the Sargassum mass, says this year's seasonal peak is still too distant to predict.

Hu and his colleagues use data collected by NASA satellites for monthly tracking of the total mass of Sargassum in the Atlantic Ocean, the outlet explains.

Sargassum's yearly cycle typically peaks in June. Hu and his team estimated the Atlantic had about six million metric tons of Sargassum in February and he says March's numbers will be even higher.

"Even in the first two weeks, I've seen increased amounts," he told the outlet.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Miami Beach officials fed up with spring break violence declare state of emergency: 'It's very hard to deter idiots and criminals'



Officials in Miami Beach, Florida, made waves this week by declaring a temporary state of emergency and implementing a strict citywide curfew in attempt to curb out-of-control spring break violence.

What are the details?

During a press conference Tuesday, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber condemned the rash of senseless violence that erupted in South Beach’s entertainment district over the weekend.

"If you want to see what a very frustrated and angry mayor looks like, you’re looking at him," Gelber said. "Our city is well past its endpoint. We can’t endure this any more."

Since the start of spring break just a few short days ago, at least five people have been shot, nine police officers have been injured, and more than 100 guns have been confiscated by law enforcement authorities, WSVN-TV reported.

In a tweet Sunday, Miami Beach police offered a snippet of the ongoing chaos in the city.

This weekend, we\u2019ve had 4 @MiamiBeachPD officers injured. This video is a snippet of the crowds and dangers we face. Officers are EXHAUSTED. The party needs to end. City officials must take immediate and firm action to ensure the safety of officers and residents. #SpringBreakpic.twitter.com/ZpL0rk2Ch9
— Miami Beach FOP (@Miami Beach FOP) 1647800278

"The party needs to end," police declared in the post.

Gelber and other city officials said the 12 a.m. curfew will go into effect Thursday morning and will continue throughout the weekend. It will reportedly cover areas south of 23rd Street down to South Pointe Drive, from the Atlantic Ocean to Biscayne Bay.

"This isn’t your mother and father’s spring break. This is something wholly different," Gelber explained on Tuesday.

Later in the press conference, he said, "We haven’t been able to figure out how to stop spring break from coming. I say that all the time. We don’t want spring break here, but they keep coming."

"It’s very hard to deter idiots and criminals from doing things," he added.

What else?

Miami Beach Police Chief Richard Clements backed the city's move, noting that this year's violence has been especially egregious.

"What I saw this year made me ... almost cringe. You see that gunfire was almost 10 feet from an officer who was on an ATV, to dive off the ATV and get behind it, because he didn’t know where the gunfire was coming from. That’s a problem," Clements said, adding, "We have to do something."

Miami Beach Declares State Of Emergency Over Spring Break Violence www.youtube.com

Some visitors also told WSVN they are afraid to go downtown and won't be coming back to the area in future years.

"I was sitting on Ocean, and we got tumbled by a stampede, and they were shooting like, three times in the same hour. It was crazy," one visitor said, adding, "I don’t feel safe. Once it hits 6 o’clock I’m outta there."

"It was just a shock to hear gunshots and all the commotion outside the window," another recalled.

Two separate shooting incidents occurred in the beach town over the weekend, sending massive crowds of people running down packed streets.

Anything else?

The emergency declaration was not issued without pushback, however. Some detractors even decried the move as racist.

"The only emergency is that black people are on the Beach," Stephen Hunter Johnson, a member of Miami-Dade’s Black Advisory Board, charged, according to the Miami Herald. "I don’t understand how this town has been doing spring break for at least 25 years and can’t figure it out."

Democratic state lawmaker Michael Grieco, a former Miami Beach commissioner, complained the declaration was far too heavy-handed, saying, "The state of emergency is an abuse of governmental power, and it scares the crap out of me."

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Visited Her Elderly Dad In Florida While Telling Michiganders Not To Travel

Democrat Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer peddles in hypocrisy once more, traveling to Florida while imploring residents in her state to stay in lockdown.

FACT CHECK: Does This Image Show A Crowd At Miami Beach In March 2021?

The image was actually taken in 2019
Blame it on the Wind | 3/22/21

Blame it on the Wind | 3/22/21

Miami Beach declares emergency, extends curfew following 1,000 arrests, huge traffic jams amid spring break chaos



Miami Beach, Florida, officials have declared an area emergency following the actions of an "unruly" spring break crowd that has seen more than 1,000 arrests across the city.

What are the details?

According to a Monday report from the Associated Press, the crowd — who have refused to wear masks — gathered in Miami Beach by the thousands and engaged in fighting, destroying restaurant property, and more.

In a late Sunday meeting, Miami Beach officials voted to extend an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew for another week as the crowds have become a "serious threat to public safety." The curfew could extend "well into April" if necessary. The curfew has also forced restaurants to stop outdoor dining and has encouraged other local businesses to shut down altogether.

Authorities said that the crowds aren't typical of spring break, and the people don't appear to be college students, but "adults looking to let loose in one of the few states fully open during the pandemic."

According to the AP, "More than half of the more than 1,000 arrests were from out of state, said City Manager Raul Aguila, adding many are coming 'to engage in lawlessness and an anything goes party attitude.'"

Revelers, he said, aren't eating at local restaurants or spending money at local businesses and are "merely congregating by the thousands in the street."

"Officers in bulletproof vests dispersed pepper spray balls Saturday night into a defiant, but mostly nonviolent crowd, refusing to submit to the curfew that had only been enacted four hours earlier," the news agency added. "Some people responded by jumping on top of cars, twerking and throwing money into the air."

What's the background?

By Thursday, impromptu street parties broke out, and Miami Beach Police Chief Richard Clements said that fights broke out and prompted injurious stampedes

By Friday, a least one local restaurant was trashed by partiers and violence broke out.

"After gunshots were fired, a young woman cut her leg so badly in a stampede that she was transported to the hospital where they initially thought she had been shot, police said," according to the outlet.

“We couldn't go on any longer," Clements said, pointing to Sunday's vote. “I think this was the right decision."

Miami Beach is a city on an island about 3 miles offshore from the city of Miami.

LA teachers warned against posting vacation pics online as union fights against in-person classes



Leaked messages from a private Facebook group for members of United Teachers Los Angeles union show teachers being warned not to share pictures of their Spring Break trips online, over concerns that it might compromise the union's stance against returning to in-person schooling due to concerns over COVID-19.

What are the details?

In a post obtained by KTTV-TV, members were given a "friendly reminder" that reads:

"If you are planning any trips for Spring Break, please keep that off Social Media. It is hard to argue that it is unsafe for in-person instruction, if parents and the public see vacation photos and international travel."

NEW: In a leaked post from a private Facebook group for UTLA union members only, teachers are warned not to post on… https://t.co/rBI3YB6af2
— Bill Melugin (@Bill Melugin)1615254375.0

The message was sent just days after more than 90% of UTLA's 25,000 teachers voted against returning to the classroom unless the Los Angeles School District meets the union's standards. UTLA is asking that all staff be vaccinated (or have access to the COVID-19 vaccine), and for additional safety standards to prevent coronavirus spread such as ventilation and daily cleaning.

UTLA issued a statement in reaction to the Facebook comment, saying:

"We have a diverse membership and they are able to post their views on personal Facebook pages and in this Facebook group - however UTLA does not monitor nor is responsible for the content. We do not want to discourage a robust dialogue for members in the public square of opinion."

It appears whoever posted the message to UTLA members might have seen the backlash last month against a Chicago Teachers Union leader who posted photos online boasting from her vacation in Puerto Rico, after arguing just hours earlier that Chicago's schools were not safe enough to reopen for in-person learning.

Anything else?

According to KTTV reporter Bill Melugin, parents in the Los Angeles school district were angered over the leaked warning to Spring Breaking teachers — which came just a week after UTLA's president sparked outrage when she blamed "white, wealthy parents" for "driving the push" for California to reopen schools in a decision she sees as premature.

"We are being unfairly targeted by people who are not experiencing this disease in the same ways as students and families are in our communities," UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz asserted in reaction to California's $2 billion plan to incentivize schools to be open by April 1.

"If this was a rich person's disease, we would've seen a very different response. We would not have the high rate of infections and deaths," Myart-Cruz said. "Now educators are asked instead to sacrifice ourselves, the safety of our students, and the safety of our schools."

Special UTLA News Statement 3/01/2021 www.youtube.com