FLORIDA BLOODBATH
Horrifying moment teen, 17, ‘opens fire on Halloween crowd in Orlando killing two and injuring seven’
The city's entertainment district is now under a strict curfew ahead of a busy weekend
HORRIFYING footage shows the moment a 17-year-old allegedly opened fire on a Halloween crowd, killing two and leaving seven others injured.
Revelers were seen running for their lives on Orange Avenue - home to a number of bars, clubs, and restaurants in Orlando, - shortly after 1 am on Friday.
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Video shown by Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith at a press conference revealed the exact moment the gunman opened fire - sending revelers fleeing in all directions.
Smith said two people were shot dead, and seven others were rushed to hospital.
The alleged gunman was identified as Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, a 17-year-old with previous arrests.
"He pretty much walked into downtown, walked into the street, and did what he did," Chief Smith said during a press conference on Friday.
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Smith said the teen did not walk into any clubs.
The shooting was reported at 1:07 am in the Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard area, with a second round of gunfire reported minutes later.
Cops raced to both scenes, located the gunman, and tackled him.
As many as 100,000 people were out celebrating Halloween in the area at the time and almost 100 officers were on hand, cops said.
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Footage taken by captured a large police presence along Orange Avenue and Central Avenue near Wall Street Plaza.
At one point, crowds can be seen walking all over Orange Avenue.
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Moments later, a swarm of people began to run at speed.
Several police officers run in the opposite direction as the chaotic scene unfolds.
Police Chief Smith said this morning the victims involved were aged between 18 and 39 years old.
One victim wasn't shot but suffered injuries when she was trampled while trying to duck for cover.
Smith confirmed they do not yet know the gunman's motive but "believe he is the only suspect at this time."
The suspect was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.
We want a downtown that is fun and vibrant, but we’ve experienced lately that brazen criminals are willing to come downtown and shoot and kill innocent victims, right in front of our police officers.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
The Orlando Police Department posted of him being walked into a police car in handcuffs after he was captured.
After the shooting, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer declared a state of emergency for the city’s downtown entertainment district.
Bars are now under a strict curfew from 1 am to 5 am and must end alcohol sales at midnight.
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“We want a downtown that is fun and vibrant, but we’ve experienced lately that brazen criminals are willing to come downtown and shoot and kill innocent victims, right in front of our police officers,” the mayor said.
“And it’s unfortunate that the changes in state concealed weapons laws have made it even easier for people to carry guns and bring guns downtown.”
Orlando shooting victims
- Victim 1: Male, 25, deceased
- Victim 2: Male, 19, deceased
- Victim 3: Male, 18, shot in the lower left leg
- Victim 4: Female, 39, shot in the left hand
- Victim 5: Female, 24, shot in the left leg
- Victim 6: Male, 20, shot in the head (graze)
- Victim 7: Male, 26, shot in the right foot
- Victim 8: Female, 19, shot in the upper back, lodged in cheek
- Victim 9: Female, 26, injuries from being trampled
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