2 dead, 7 injured in Halloween shooting; teenager detained: officials

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith says two people are dead and seven others are being treated at local hospitals after a mass shooting in downtown Orlando overnight. A The 17-year-old boy is in custodyand faces charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, officials said.

The shooting was reported around 1:07 a.m. in the area of ​​Orange Avenue and Central Blvd., where hundreds of people were celebrating Halloween at bars, clubs and restaurants.

A few minutes later, a second a round of gunfire was reported nearby. Police rushed to both scenes, identified the alleged gunman and attacked him.

Downtown Orlando Filming Timeline:

• 01:07 | The first report of shots fired in the area of ​​Orange Avenue and Central Blvd. Officers heard gunshots and ran toward them, Chief Smith said. The massive crowds in the area were running in all directions.

• Minutes later | A second report of gunfire near Orange Avenue and Washington Street, not far away. He was quickly tackled by officers, the chief said.

What do we know about the alleged suspect?

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith identified the alleged gunman as a 17-year-old boy. The teenager was armed with a gun, he said.

He was not shot by the officers. Neither officer fired their weapons, the chief said.

A motive for the shooting was also not immediately known, but Chief Smith said detectives were speaking with the suspect.

The chief also noted that the suspect was previously arrested in 2023 for grand theft. Details of that case were not immediately available.

Smith said the 17-year-old was not downtown long before the shooting and did not appear to enter any of the businesses.

“He pretty much went downtown, went into the street and did what he did,” Chief Smith said.

Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.

FOX 35 cameras looking at parts of downtown captured a large police presence along Orange Avenue and Central Avenue near Wall Street Plaza, where there are several bars, clubs and restaurants.

What do we know about the victims?

Two people died, Police Chief Smith said. He did not release their names pending family notification.

The victims range in age from 19 to 39, he said.

According to Orlando Health Regional Medical Center, they received nine patients who were injured during the incident.

Here are the conditions of the victims as of 9 am. Friday, according to the Orlando Police Department:

Victim 1:
Black male, 25 years old, deceased

Victim 2:
White male, 19, deceased

Victim 3:
White male, 18, shot in the left leg

Victim 4:
White female, 39, shot in the left hand

Victim 5:
Hispanic female, 24, shot in the left leg

Victim 6:
Black Male, 20, Shot in Head (Paste)

Victim 7:
Hispanic male, 26, shot in the right leg

Victim 8:
Hispanic woman, 19 years old, shot in the upper back, stuck in the cheek

Victim 9:
This victim was not mentioned during the press conference.
She was not shot; she was trampled as the crowd tried to flee the scene of the shooting.
Hispanic female, 26, Trampling injuries

From one vantage point, crowds can be seen walking all along Orange Avenue, which is not unusual for a holiday weekend in downtown Orlando. Moments later, suddenly crowds of people start running.

Several police officers are then seen running in the opposite direction.