ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) — Two people were killed and six others were wounded in two early morning shootings during Halloween celebrations in downtown Orlando, Florida, on Friday, authorities said.
Six victims, who range in age from 19 to 39, were taken to Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center in stable condition, according to Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith.
At 1:07 a.m., police responded to reports of a downtown shooting, and shortly afterward, police received another call about a shooting a short distance away, according to the Orlando Police Department.
Smith said during a briefing Friday morning that officers quickly made an arrest. Smith showed video from street security cameras and a police body camera showing the two shootings and the suspect’s arrest at the second shooting location.
Smith stated that the suspect, a 17-year-old, was taken into custody, adding that the teen has a previous arrest record.
A handgun was recovered at the arrest scene and there are no other suspects, he said.
Orlando Police said that nearly 100 officers were patrolling downtown when the shooting occurred due to the large crowd expected for Halloween. The crowds were estimated to be between 50,000 and 100,000 people, Smith said.
The Halloween celebration took place about 10 miles from Orlando’s tourist district, and it primarily attracts central Florida residents. Revelers usually also celebrate by the tens of thousands in downtown Orlando on the Saturday after Halloween.
During past Halloween celebrations, police officers would close off downtown streets and use dogs to screen for weapons as people walked past entry points, but they changed their procedures after Florida lawmakers passed a permit-less concealed carry law in 2023, the police chief said.
Florida State Attorney Andrew Baine said charging the teen suspect as an adult is possible, but his agency would await further information from the police investigation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
