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2 people died and 6 were injured in a mass shooting during a Halloween celebration in Orlando
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2 people died and 6 were injured in a mass shooting during a Halloween celebration in Orlando

At least two people were killed in a mass shooting in downtown Orlando, which was hosting Halloween celebrations Friday morning.

Gunfire erupted outside The Block, a nightlife area comprised of seven separate clubs, with hundreds of revelers in attendance, many dressed for a costume contest with cash prizes.

Police received reports of shots fired at Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue around 1:07 a.m., Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said at a news conference.

At least two people were killed in a mass shooting in downtown Orlando, which was hosting Halloween celebrations Friday morning. FOX 35 Orlando

A second shooting was reported a few minutes later at Washington Street and Orange Avenue, one block north.

Six other people were injured and taken to local hospitals in stable condition. The victims’ ages ranged from 19 to 31.

The police attacked the attacker, 17-year-old Jalen Dwayne Edgar, who opened fire on the crowd for the second time, immobilized him and arrested him.

Edgar was arrested for grand larceny in 2023.

Police did not see Edgar enter any clubs when he arrived in downtown Orlando, and he is believed to be the only suspect. He was armed with a pistol.

Security cameras recorded the first moment the gunman walked towards the victim and opened fire. FOX 35 Orlando
After firing into the crowd a second time, officers jumped the gunman, identified as 17-year-old Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, immobilized him and arrested him. FOX 35 Orlando
Orlando police officers struggle with armed suspect. FOX 35 Orlando

During the press conference, Smith showed several videos of downtown nightlife at the time of the shooting.

In one video, Edgar, walking with a group, pulled out a gun and fired at point-blank range at the unsuspecting victim, sending the packed street into a frenzy.

Footage of the second attack captured the moment Edgar fired again into a crowded crowd near a police cruiser.

Six other people were injured and taken to local hospitals in stable condition. FOX 35 Orlando

A nearby police officer spotted the young man with the gun, pulled his legs out from under him, and tackled him to the ground before other officers jumped onto the pile.

“They’re always training and they’re always ready to go,” Smith said. “As soon as they heard the shots, none of the police went to the other side or joined the crowd.”

“Most of them had a little guard around them, they started scanning to see what was going on and then they took action, they took action to keep everyone else safe and that’s what these officers did and I’m so proud of them.” added.

Smith estimates that 50,000 to 100,000 people attended Halloween celebrations.

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith provides an update on the November 1, 2024 shooting. FOX 35 Orlando
The police body camera recorded the moment when the party participants took cover during the second attack. FOX 35 Orlando

“As you can see from this video, Halloween is and always is one of the busiest nights of the year,” Smith said. “Halloween night is pretty busy, and the Saturday after Halloween is always just as busy.”

Police have not yet revealed the reason behind the attack.

Authorities believe Edgar was intent on committing a mass shooting as he passed several officers through the crowd.

Smith estimates that 50,000 to 100,000 people attended Halloween celebrations. FOX 35 Orlando

“Regardless of his mentality, he was going to shoot no matter what,” Smith said. “He passed multiple officers and we followed where he came from. “He knew what to do, he was thinking about what his mind was going to do.”

“It’s unfortunate that some people will do whatever it takes when they see someone they don’t like or have a fight with,” he added.

State’s Attorney Andrew Bain said there were “several aggravating factors” that led to Edgar being charged as an adult.

“Obviously because of the large number of victims and the brazen nature of the crime, there are several aggravating factors that fit into the matrix to charge him as an adult.”