BUNNELL, Fla. – The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said human blood found in a restroom at a public park Monday was linked to an ATV accident and that no one was killed or seriously injured.

According to investigators, around 2:40 a.m., patrol deputies were conducting a security check of the public restrooms at Hidden Trails Park when they came across a “significant” amount of blood smeared on the wall of the corridor leading to the women’s restroom. The case report states that the blood appeared to be fresh.

The report also states that as the two deputies went further into the restroom, they discovered a loaded 9mm handgun magazine on the floor.

Verbal commands were given by the deputy for anyone inside to come out. After he received no response to verbal commands, deputies ventured further into the restroom, where they said they discovered more blood spatter on the walls and floor. Blood was also in the trash can. The report states that as deputies went 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 might be 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 analyzed the gory discovery.

“Something bad happened to someone. I know it sounds simple, but to have that high volume of blood and then throw a magazine out of a gun mixed with that, it takes your mind to dark places,” Hackney said.

Sheriff Rick Staly issued the following statement asking for the public’s help:

“We are actively investigating this situation and any information from the public could be essential in helping us determine what happened. Whatever happened could be just an accident or something more serious. If you know anything or saw anything suspicious at Hidden Trails Park on Monday, November 11, please contact us immediately. You may have the information we need to determine the source of the blood.”

Hackney also said there is another aspect that raises red flags.

“A few days after this was found and no one came into the hospital with someone either with a gunshot wound or presenting with some kind of traumatic event; a stillbirth or something like that,” Hackney said. “Nothing was shown, so it makes the investigator in me think there’s something much more sinister going on 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 [email protected] or submit a tip through the FCSO app or website. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS.