2 dead, 6 wounded in shootings during Halloween celebration in downtown Orlando
Two people were killed and six others injured after two shootings in a large crowd celebrating Halloween in downtown Orlando early Friday. A suspect is in custody and has been charged with murder, authorities said.
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith told reporters that officers responded to shots fired in the city's downtown shortly after 1 a.m. A second shooting minutes later happened within a short distance of officers and they quickly made an arrest, he said.
The six wounded were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and were in stable condition. They ranged in age from 19 to 39, he said. A 26-year-old woman was also injured after she was trampled by the crowd attempting to flee, police said later on Friday.
Orlando police on Monday told CBS News the two people who were killed were 25-year-old Tyrek Hill and 19-year-old Timothy Schmidt Jr.
Smith said anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 people could have been downtown at the time of the shooting, judging by views of the huge Halloween crowds.
The suspect was identified as 17-year-old Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, who was arrested for grand theft last year. The teenager was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, police said Friday afternoon.
There was also no immediate indication of why he allegedly opened fire. The suspect is believed to be the only shooter, Smith said, adding that it was unclear whether he knew the victims.
"We had about 100 officers who are working the detail, spread out," Smith told reporters, adding: "The officers responded very quickly, the officers did a great job. They responded right when they heard the shooting. You know, everybody else is running, they're not: They're sitting in position looking for a shooter. They found the shooter."
Police released video from street security cameras and a police body camera showing the two shootings and the suspect's arrest at the second shooting location.
A handgun was recovered at the arrest scene, Smith said.
Smith said in a separate news conference Friday afternoon that the two deaths are the 18th and 19th homicides in Orlando this year.
Sofia Alcala, who works downtown, told CBS affiliate WKMG that she heard the gunshots before everyone started "freaking out."
"Everyone started running," she said. "I saw a group of people, you know, enjoying Halloween ... and then shots fired, and everybody just dispersed. I heard so many girls calling and crying."
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced in a press conference Friday afternoon that he would be activating a local state of emergency for establishments in downtown Orlando that will end alcohol sales at midnight. He said a curfew will be implemented between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
"We don't make this decision lightly and we pursued a number of measures before reaching this point," Dyer said, adding: "We want a downtown that is fun and vibrant but we have experienced lately brazen criminals are willing to come downtown and shoot and kill innocent victims right in front of our police officers."
Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain said during the news conference charging the teen suspect as an adult is a possibility but his agency would await further information from the police investigation.
Smith said the police department is increasing its patrols in downtown Orlando this weekend.
