OCEAN CITY, Md. – A week of fun celebrations became very busy for first responders during Fourth of July festivities when officials say fireworks were shot into crowds of people along multiple busy boardwalks.
According to the Ocean City Police Department, officers significantly increased their presence ahead of the holiday weekend. Despite these efforts, police say they determined that a group of people discharged fireworks in the direction of crowds near the south end fireworks show on July 4, prompting dozens of people to run from the area.
“I heard the fireworks, and I went outside to go check it out,” said Rori Bailey, who works on the boardwalk and witnessed the incident. “The first thing I saw was a bunch of people running, so I just turned back and went back inside. I thought the worst. I was kind of scared, a little.”
Initial reports to police indicated possible gunfire, but authorities later confirmed that the disturbance was caused solely by fireworks launched by individuals in the crowd.
Police say a group of individuals set fireworks off in a crowd on July 4, creating a sense of panic on the boardwalk. (Ben and Greta Kroneberger)
Though this instance was fireworks, police made multiple handgun arrests on the night of July 4. They say two 16-year-olds and one 17-year-old were arrested, two for having loaded guns and the third after being observed with a firearm in his waistband.
Additionally, police say a 22-year-old Cambridge man was found with a gunshot wound to his arm near 28th Street and Philadelphia Avenue. He is expected to recover but police say he has been uncooperative.
Greg Patson, a frequent vacationer in Ocean City, said the fireworks incident tainted what was supposed to be a family-friendly celebration. “Disappointing,” he said. “Such a beautiful day and beautiful event, that a few bad apples can ruin it for a lot of people.”
Ocean City wasn’t the only coastal town dealing with unruly behavior this holiday. In Bethany Beach, another firework-related scare unfolded when a person shot fireworks towards bystanders near the boardwalk and Garfield Parkway in the days leading up to July 4. In one instance, a firework was seen hitting the dunes.
An image shows fireworks exploding on Bethany Beach near the boardwalk. (Bethany Beach Police)
“Hopefully it’s a one-time thing and things can stay safe,” said Robert Draganette, a visitor in Bethany Beach.
Bethany police say they're requesting the public's help in identifying a suspect.
Back in Ocean City, the town council addressed the holiday weekend's disturbances in a statement released Monday, citing social media as a factor in drawing large groups of teenagers to the area with the apparent intent to cause disruption and chaos.
While Rori Bailey, the boardwalk employee, said he felt unsafe in the moment, he emphasized that he still believes Ocean City is a safe place overall. “I don't feel unsafe in Ocean City,” he said. “I walk back, like, pretty late — 11, 12 at night — but there’s still a lot of people out on the streets at that time.”
Visitor Greg Patson echoed that sentiment, as well, adding that he still plans to return with his family.