In a tragic mass shooting in Downtown Orlando during Halloween Celebrations, two people were killed and nine others were left injured when an unknown gunman opened fire into a crowd. The incident took place earlier on Friday, November 1st, 2024. The Orlando Police has apprehended a 17-year-old teen. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and attempted counts of first-degree murder.
However, the latest data shows that tally has been raised to nine shots with two dead in downtown, Orlando.
According to the reports, the victims are aged from 18 to 39. Two of the surviving victims were in critical condition. They have been admitted to the Orlando Regional Medical Center and are now stable.
A woman was trampled as the bystanders tried to escape from the scene following the shooting took place. Among those, who were killed during the incident was a student from the University of Florida.
The University has recently released a statement and said, “Our hearts are heavy with grief, we mourn this tragic, senseless violence, which also resulted in the injury of at least one other student who was out celebrating Halloween and in the vicinity of this incident.”
About the Suspect
Notably, this marks the 27th shooting in Florida this year, with more than 400 cases nationwide. The 17-year-old teen has been taken into the Police custody. The Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith, told, “Whatever his mindset was, he was going to shoot, no mater what,” “He walked by multiple officers. He didn’t really care.”
The suspect was identified as Jaylen Dwayne Edgar. He has been arrested previously in 2023 for grand theft. The Police reported that earlier he had not been in downtown before the shooting and neither appeared into any of the businesses before.
“He pretty much walked into downtown, walked into the street and did what he did,” Orlando Police Chief Smith added.
Mayor Buddy Dyer Implemented State Emergency
Following the incident, Mayor Buddy Dyer implemented a state of emergency for businesses within Orlando’s downtown entertainment area, to end alcohol sales at midnight and implemented a curfew between 1 am to 5 am.
“We want a downtown that is fun and vibrant, but we have experienced lately that brazen criminals are willing to come downtown and shoot and kill innocent victims right in front of our police officers,” he said.
Recent Probe in the Case
Meanwhile, the Police are investigating whether the victims are known to the suspect. The surveillance videos from the scene shows that the fire hit the local crowd scattered during the Halloween festivities. It has been revealed that the suspect opened the fire in the first location before running away from the crowd. The police took the suspect’s moments after he opened fire on the scene from the CCTV coverage and became assured that the shooter fired alone.
Kanishka Malhotra is a seasoned journalist with a deep passion for reporting and uncovering the truth. With a specialization in research and investigative Journalism, she has covered wide range of topics related to social issues, travel, lifestyle, technology, Entertainment and much more. She believes to express and share her creativity to the world through words. With relentless pursuit of knowing and uncovering the truth, Kanishka continues to leave a mark in the world of journalism.
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