The mayor of Orlando, Florida, is cracking down on the city’s nightlife district following a Halloween night shooting that killed two people and injured several others.
The suspect, Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, 17, has been arrested, according to Orlando police. Officers went to reports of shots fired shortly after 1 a.m. Friday, and within minutes, they witnessed a second gunshot, officials said.
According to authorities, one individual was slain at the first scene, while another was killed at the second. Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said the man strolled by more than ten cops before opening fire.
Surveillance footage caught the commotion of people leaving the area while authorities detained the offender.
Police reported that nine people, aged 18 to 39, were injured, some badly.
Anthony Berry, a 20-year-old learning to be an EMT, expressed gratitude for his life after being shot on the top of his head.
According to the University of Central Florida, one of the two people killed was a student.
Edgar was charged with two charges of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, according to police.
Smith stated the motive is unknown.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has declared a municipal state of emergency for downtown entertainment venues, which will prohibit alcohol sales after midnight and impose a curfew from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
“Unfortunately, the changes in the state concealed weapons laws [in 2023] have made it even easier for people to carry guns,” Dyer said during a conference call.
“You can legally carry a firearm unless you fall into a certain kind of category: underage, convicted felon,” Smith told me. “For most people, it allows them, without getting a concealed weapons permit, to carry a gun concealed.”