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At least eight people were wounded in a mass shooting in Fort Pierce, Florida just north of West Palm Beach. 

According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, over 1,000 people were celebrating Martin Luther King Day at Ilous Ellis Park on Monday. The party started after a parade. And there was live music and a classic car show taking place when shots rang out.

 Chief Deputy Brian Hester, who was in the parade, witnessed the violence.

  "It was mass chaos. People were running in all different directions," he said.

"There were people laying behind cars, laying behind anything they could lay behind. It was kind of hard to tell who was a victim and who was just hiding at that point," Hester added.

Mass shooting investigation

Eight people were wounded, one critically. And four others, including a child, were injured in the chaos as the crowd ran for safety.

According to Hester, authorities believe the mass shooting was due to a dispute between two parties in the park. And evidence suggests the gunshots were fired from two areas. And there was more than one shooter.

On Wednesday the investigation continues. And so far, no arrests have been made.

"Sounds like, from our initial investigation here on scene, there was a disagreement of some sort between two parties, and unfortunately, they chose to resolve that with guns," Hester said.

 "It's really unfortunate and it's sad that during a celebration of someone who represented peace and equality that a disagreement results in the use of guns and violence."

If anyone has video or witnessed the events, please contact the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office at 772-462-7300. Or get in touch with Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-273-8477.