Two people were killed and six others were injured in two separate shootings in downtown Orlando early Friday during a Halloween celebration. Authorities claimed a suspect is in custody.
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith told reporters that officers responded to gunfire fired near downtown soon after 1 a.m. A second incident occurred minutes later, close to officers, and they promptly made an arrest, he added.
The six injured were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center and are in stable condition. Their ages ranged from 19 to 39, he said. A 26-year-old woman was also hurt after being trampled by the mob as she attempted to flee, police said later Friday.
The two victims deceased were identified as a 25-year-old and a 19-year-old guy. Their identity has not been revealed.
According to Smith, anywhere between 50,000 and 100,000 individuals could have been downtown at the time of the shooting, based on images of the massive Halloween crowds.
The suspect was recognized as a 17-year-old male. Smith claimed he was arrested for grand theft last year. There was no word on his hometown, what he was charged with, or the outcome of the previous case.
There was also no explanation for why he allegedly opened fire. Smith said the suspect is thought to be the lone shooter, although it is unknown whether he knew the victims.
“We had about 100 officers working the detail, spread out,” Smith told reporters, adding that the officers responded swiftly and performed an excellent job. They reacted immediately when they heard the gunshots. You know, when everyone else is rushing, they are sitting in position, looking for a shooter. “They found the shooter.”
Police released video from street security cameras and a police body camera that captured the two shootings as well as the suspect’s arrest at the second shooting scene.
According to Smith, a firearm was seized at the scene of the arrest.
During the news conference, Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain stated that arresting the teen suspect as an adult is an option, but that his agency will wait for more facts from the police investigation.
Orlando police said they are considering additional patrols over the weekend.
Reference: 2 dead, 6 wounded in shootings during Halloween celebration in downtown Orlando