BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — A 17-year-old was shot dead Sunday night after a fight involving two groups occurred in Boynton Beach, police said.
Detectives said the incident took place at about 11:30 p.m. in the parking lot of a Fraternal Order of Police Lodge located in the 1200 block of Miner Road. The venue was being rented out for a sweet 16 party.
Police said two groups of minors were actively engaged in a fight.
The victim, whose name has not been released, was shot during the incident and later died at Bethesda Hospital.
Barry Davis, the executive director of the DeVos-Blum Family YMCA of Boynton Beach, said tragedies like Sunday night's shooting, show the need for positive programming for kids and teens in the community.
"It's devastating, but it motivates us to do more," he said. "I know my staff and I can speak for them. We are even going to try harder in the future, because there’s people out there who need us."
He said they meet those needs at the facility through their summer camp and after school programming.
"The more positive people you are around, the role models, it just naturally comes," he said. "We don’t have to program that."
Detectives encourage anyone with information to contact the Boynton Beach Police Department at 561-732-8116.