A Halloween celebration turned to chaos as gunfire erupted in the early hours of Sunday, October 29, leaving two dead and injuring 18 others in the historic Ybor City area of Tampa, Florida.

According to sources, the incident occurred just before 3 am on the 1600 block of East 7th Avenue during festivities marking Halloween. 

As hundreds of people gathered, enjoying the evening in costumes, a fight broke out between two groups, which escalated into a shooting. Online video footage from the scene captures the moments as shots ring out, with people in the vicinity scrambling for safety.

Early reports suggest at least two shooters were involved in the incident. In the wake of the gunfire, police arrived to find several victims lying wounded on the ground. Two people lost their lives, while 18 others were rushed to local hospitals. The motive behind the confrontation between the two groups remains under investigation by the Tampa Police Department.

Authorities have since confirmed that they arrested Tyrell Stephen Phillips, 22. The search continues for at least one more person believed to have been involved in the shooting. 

As daylight broke, the usually bustling streets of Ybor City, known for its rich Cuban heritage and vibrant nightlife, bore the somber signs of the previous night’s events. Witnesses and residents have expressed their shock at the violent turn the festivities took. 

Details surrounding the identities of the victims, as well as their current conditions, have yet to be released. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.

The shooting has reignited concerns over gun violence in public spaces.