ORLANDO, Fla. — An early morning shooting in downtown Orlando on Friday left two people dead and six others wounded, disrupting the city’s popular Halloween festivities and raising concerns about public safety. Officers responded to reports of shots fired around 1 a.m. near East Central Boulevard and North Orange Avenue, where a chaotic scene quickly unfolded, with crowds scattering as gunfire erupted.
Police apprehended a 17-year-old suspect, who was caught on video moving through the crowd and allegedly attempting to target someone in the fray. When gunfire broke out, on-duty officers intervened, tackling the suspect to the ground to prevent further violence. “Whatever his mindset was, he was going to shoot no matter what,” Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith told reporters. The suspect, who has a prior record, was arrested on the scene and is now in custody.
The shooting claimed the lives of two young men—one Black, age 25, and one White, age 19. Six others sustained gunshot wounds ranging from leg and hand injuries to a graze to the head, with one additional victim injured while attempting to flee. The injured were taken to Orlando Medical Center and are reported to be in stable condition, according to authorities.
Orlando’s annual Halloween celebrations typically attract thousands, with an increased police presence to maintain order. Despite these efforts, the large crowds and late-night festivities have posed challenges for law enforcement. The Orlando Police Department is continuing its investigation to understand the suspect’s motives and the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
The incident adds to growing concerns over public safety during high-profile events in major cities. As Orlando recovers from the tragedy, city officials and residents are calling for heightened security measures to protect the community during times of celebration.
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