RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           CC: RAD Information Net

Day/date:  Wednesday, April 17, 1991

INCIDENTS

91-115 - Gulf Islands (Florida/Mississippi) - Shooting Incidents

On the afternoon of April 12th, two people were wounded  one 
from a gunshot, the other from a cut  during an incident 
involving students from at least four Mobile, Alabama, high 
schools who were participating in "International Skip Day."  
About 1,000 students and older persons gathered at the beach 
area just outside the Fort Pickens entrance to the park by early 
afternoon.  At about 2:30 p.m., the Escambia County sheriff's 
office received a report of gunfire at the location and 
responded.  Gunshots were heard upon their arrival at the scene, 
and backup was requested from all available units.  Rangers 
responded and helped control the crowd, many of whom were 
fleeing the area.  Rangers also stopped all traffic leaving the 
park while the free-for-all was going on.  The victims were taken 
to a local hospital, where they were treated and released.  One 
21yearold suspect was arrested and charged with aggravated 
assault, but the shooting suspect remained at large.  A crowd of 
about 1,500 people gathered at the parking lot and beach area on 
the afternoon of the 14th, and fighting and gunfire again broke 
out.  Even though the sheriff's department had assigned extra 
personnel to the area, backup was again requested and park 
rangers were the first to respond.  One deputy was hit twice 
with bottles, and another was assaulted by a woman with a large 
stick.  A ranger assisted the deputy in disarming the woman.  
Due to circumstances, the woman was not taken into custody, but 
a 17-year-old male was arrested and charged with possession of a 
stolen firearm, reckless display of a firearm, and carrying a 
concealed firearm.  Witnesses state that the fighting was among 
groups of friends who were polarized by the shooting death of a 
student at a high school football game.  [CompuServe message 
from Gene Phillips, CR, GUIS, 4/16]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No reports today.

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: No travel or leave scheduled.

Branch of Resource & Visitor Protection: Martin on AL (4/15-4/19);
Halainen on detail to House Subcommittee on National Parks and 
Public Lands (3/8-4/26); Henry on SL (indefinite).

Branch of Fire: Hurd, Broyles, Farrel, Norum and Gale 
instructing at  training course on fire management for managers,
Marana, AZ (4/14-4/19).

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone:  FTS 268-4874/6039 or 202-208-4874/6039
Telefax:    FTS 268-5977 or 202-208-5977
CompuServe: WASO-RANGER (Branch of R&VP); WASO-FIRE-WO (Branch of Fire)
SEAdog:     1/650