ORLANDO – Two people were killed and at least seven others were injured in a shooting early Friday morning in downtown Orlando, Florida, as thousands of people enjoyed Halloween celebrations, police said.
Police arrested a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of shooting. So far, no motive has been determined and the identities of the casualties have not been released, but police said the victims ranged in age from 19 to 39.
The two people who died were later identified as a 25-year-old black man and a 19-year-old white man. Six other people suffered gunshot wounds, and a 26-year-old woman was trampled and injured as the crowd fled the scene of the shooting.
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said at a news conference early Friday morning that gunfire was fired just after 1 a.m. at Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue, and a few minutes later there was another shooting nearby.
The injured were taken to Orlando Medical Center for treatment. Police said everyone was in stable condition.
Police said a suspect was arrested and taken into custody. He was subsequently charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.
He was arrested on suspicion of grand theft in 2023, and the investigation is still ongoing.
Surveillance video released by Orlando showed the suspect wearing a yellow shirt walking through the crowd. He appeared to raise his right hand and fire at someone. The crowd dispersed in all directions as gunshots rang out, footage showed. Police video showed an officer pushing the suspect and three other people running to help make the arrest.
Smith said at a news conference that Orlando is popular on Halloween, one of the busiest nights of the year, with 50,000 to 100,000 people expected to join the crowd. Smith said about 100 police officers were patrolling the area and were able to tackle the gunman shortly after the shooting.
Police released security camera footage of a busy downtown street at the time of the shooting, with people running in fear as gunshots rang out.
“The officers did a great job. They reacted as soon as they heard the shots. So other people are running away. Instead, they’re sitting in place looking for the gunman. They found the gunman. “I took him down,” he said.
He added that the suspect was determined to carry out the shooting and appeared unfazed by the police presence.
“Whatever his mindset was, he was going to fire no matter what. He walked by multiple officers…He walked by at least 10 officers and walked right next to them. ,” Smith said.
Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain said at a news conference that the suspect will likely be charged as an adult as the investigation progresses.
Residents say the area is becoming increasingly chaotic.
Near the scene of the shooting Friday morning, downtown workers and pedestrians were going about their daily lives with little sign of the carnage that had taken place hours earlier. About 10 feet of yellow police tape hung between the parking meter and a nearby store.
Kenneth Brown, 59, was downtown Friday morning as he goes to the bank “several times a week” in the area. Brown, who works in a dry cleaning business, was saddened to learn of the late night bloodshed. It really is,” he said. “When I think about it, I want to go to another bank.”
Rocio Taylor, 70, who lives about three blocks from where the shooting happened, said she doesn’t go out after 7 p.m. on weekends because the atmosphere in bars and clubs is so loud. She also noted that the area frequently hosts festivals that attract young people. Taylor, who works at a wedding dress shop, said she would like to see more police presence.
“It’s Halloween,” she said. “They drink too much alcohol. They go to nightclubs. They are out of control.”
Andre, 45, who asked to be identified only by his first name, said he was in the area from about 8 p.m. Thursday until about 12:45 a.m., just before the shooting occurred.
Andre said thousands of people were celebrating in costume. Andre dressed up as Freddy Krueger. He said the crowd ranged in age from 20 to 40, but he also saw children and mothers pushing strollers.
Andre, who lives in Kissimmee, said there was a heavy police presence keeping an eye on the revelers.
“The atmosphere was really good. People were laughing and taking pictures of each other. I was shocked. Everyone was having a good time.” Andre said he was lucky to leave just before the chaos.
“I definitely don’t want to be around someone like that.”
