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1 person dead, 2 injured following shooting at July 4 block party in Winter Haven

Investigators are asking anyone with information to call Heartland Crime Stoppers.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — One person is dead and two others are injured following a shooting Monday night, the Winter Haven Police Department said.

Just before midnight on July 4, officers responded to a call of shots fired along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between 2nd Street NE and 5th Street E. Responding officers found one man with a gunshot wound, Winter Haven's Public Safety Director Charlie Bird explained Tuesday at a news conference.

Emergency crews tried to save the man's life, but he died at the hospital.

While the investigation was going on, Bird says two other men were found with gunshot wounds. Both men, who reportedly have non-life threatening injuries, are recovering at the hospital at this time.

Based on preliminary information, Bird says it appears there was a pop-up block party going on with a large crowd of approximately 200 people when the shooting happened. As the fireworks went off — so did the gunshots.

"I want to extend my condolences to the family, his direct family...," Bird said. "... We're going to do everything that we can as an agency to put those responsible behind bars where they belong."

Chief David Brannan says it appears the shooting was an isolated event, and there is no known current danger to the public.

Investigators are asking anyone with information regarding the shooting to call Heartland Crime Stoppers. Tips will be anonymous. 

You can call 1-800-266-8477 or dial **TIPS on your cell phone. You may also submit a tip online here.

"With the large crowd in attendance, somebody knows something," Brannan said in a statement. "I implore anyone who knows any information to contact Heartland Crime Stoppers."

The roadway between First Street North and 11th Street Northeast was shut down for several hours but has since reopened.

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