CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Port Aransas Police Chief Scott Burroughs told 3NEWS that although shootings like the one that occurred late Monday night are rare, the small department has plans in place to keep spring breakers safe moving forward.
"We don't know exactly what led to the shooting," Burroughs said. "We do have information that the shooter and the victim knew each other, so this was not a random act."
While Corpus Christi has seen incidents like this in the past, Burroughs said that Port Aransas has not had a shooting on its beaches in nearly a decade.
"[It was a] total anomaly," he said. "I think this is the first shooting we've had on the beach since that drinking curfew went into effect in 2015."
When it comes to manning the beaches, the police chief said locals and tourists can expect to see more boots on the ground.
"We've increased our man power throughout town for the entire week," Burroughs said. "We supplement our police officers from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the Department of Public Safety and the Texas Parks and Wildlife."
Meredith Todd vacations in the condos right in front of beach Marker 42 where the shooting took place. She said while she didn't witness the shooting she is was not outside after dark.
Burroughs said the extra units are much needed considering how busy spring break season can get.
"Spring break crowds on peak days can average around 100,000 people," he said.
3NEWS asked Burroughs how many officers were on the beach during the time of the shooting, but he declined to comment.
More from 3News on KIIITV.com:
- Nueces County Commission candidate dies on eve of election
- WATCH: 3NEWS Women's History Month Panel 2024
- Teenager shot in Molina neighborhood dies from injuries
- Experts weigh in on warning signs to look out for when it comes to online predators
- Concerns mount over safety after hit-and-run on SPID frontage road
- Hundreds of stash houses discovered since 'Operation Lone Star' began in 2021
- Boat washes up south of Bob Hall Pier, after investigation, gets new home
- Rodeo Corpus Christi concert lineup looks like Nothin' But A Good Time
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for your daily news and exclusive extended interviews.
Do you have a news tip? Tell 3!
Email tell3@kiiitv.com so we can get in touch with you about your story should we have questions or need more information. We realize some stories are sensitive in nature. Let us know if you'd like to remain anonymous.