BUNNELL, Fla. – The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said the human blood found in a restroom at a public park on Monday was related to an ATV accident and no one was killed or seriously injured.
According to investigators, around 2:40 a.m. on Monday, patrol deputies were conducting a security check of the public restrooms at Hidden Trails Park when they stumbled upon a “significant” amount of smeared blood on the corridor wall leading to the women’s restroom. The case report states the blood appeared to be fresh.
The report also states that as the two deputies walked further into the restroom, they discovered a loaded 9mm gun magazine on the floor.
Verbal commands were given by the deputy for anyone inside to come out. After there was no response to the verbal commands, the deputies ventured further into the restroom room where they said they discovered more blood splatter on the walls and floor. Blood was also in the trashcan. The report states that as the deputies walked deeper into the restroom, they found a moderate-sized pool of blood in the sink area.
Both a drone and a K-9 unit were deployed to search the entire park for anyone who may have been injured or hiding, but the results were negative.
According to The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the blood was confirmed to be human blood.
News4JAX Crime and Safety Analyst Tom Hackney weighed in on the bloody discovery.
“Something bad happened to somebody. I know that sounds simple but to have that large volume of blood and then throw in a magazine from a handgun mixed in with that, it takes your mind to dark places,” Hackney said.
Sheriff Rick Staly issued the following statement asking for the public’s assistance:
“We are actively investigating this situation, and any information from the public could be critical to helping us determine what occurred. Whatever happened could be just an accident or something more serious. If you know anything or saw something suspicious at Hidden Trails Park on Monday, November 11th, please contact us immediately. You might have the information we need to determine the source of the blood.”
Hackney also said there’s another aspect that raises red flags.
“Days after this had been found and there has been nobody come forward with someone in the hospital with either a gunshot wound or presented the fact, they’ve had some kind of traumatic event happen; a still-birth or something like that,” Hackney said. “Nothing’s shown up so it leads the investigator in me to think there’s something a lot more sinister happening here.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the FCSO Communications non-emergency line at 386-313-4911 and reference Case #2024-97279, email FCSO at TIPS@flaglersheriff.com, or submit a tip through the FCSO app or website. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS.