Two people were killed, and six others wounded in two separate shootings during Halloween celebrations in Orlando early Friday, according to local authorities.
The first incident occurred just after 1 a.m. in downtown Orlando, prompting officers to respond to reports of gunfire. Minutes later, a second shooting took place nearby, where officers were able to make an arrest swiftly, said Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith in a Friday morning briefing.
Suspect in Custody After Chaotic Night
The injured, aged 19 to 39, were transported to the hospital and are reported to be in stable condition. Police took a 17-year-old male suspect into custody following the second shooting. Security footage from street cameras and a police body camera showed both shootings and captured the suspect’s arrest at the scene.
Following the first shooting, police circulated a description of the suspect. However, the second shooting unfolded close enough that officers witnessed the attack firsthand. “Whatever his mindset was, he was going to shoot no matter what,” Chief Smith said, adding that the suspect’s motivation remains under investigation. A handgun was recovered at the scene, and no other suspects are currently sought.
Halloween Celebrations Draw Crowds, Heavy Police Presence
With crowds estimated between 50,000 to 100,000 people celebrating Halloween, over 100 officers were deployed downtown to patrol the festivities. Florida State Attorney Andrew Baine indicated that charging the teenage suspect as an adult is under consideration, pending further developments in the police investigation.
