The 2024 Orlando Halloween Shooting was an incident that took place on the night of October 31, 2024, in downtown Orlando, Florida. Around 1:07 a.m., shots were fired amidst a large Halloween celebration, resulting in two fatalities and eight injuries. The sudden gunfire created panic among revelers, causing many to flee the scene. Shortly after the shooting, police detained Jaylen Dwayne Edgar a 17-year-old male suspect, who faces charges, including first-degree murder. The investigation is ongoing as authorities seek to determine the motive behind the attack.
| 2024 Orlando Halloween shooting | |
|---|---|
 A CCTV still of Jaylen firing his handgun | |
| Location | Downtown Orlando, Orlando, Florida, United States |
| Date | November 1, 2024 1:07 a.m. – 1:10 a.m. (EST) |
| Target | Large crowds |
Attack type | Mass shooting |
| Weapon | Handgun |
| Deaths | 2 |
| Injured | 8[1] |
| Victims | 10 |
| Motive | Unknown |
| Accused | Jaylen Dwayne Edgar |
| Charges | Two counts of second-degree murder and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm. |
Background
editHalloween is an annual holiday celebrated by dozens of countries on October 31, 2024.[2]
Shooting
editThe shooting occurred at 1:07 a.m. when a lone gunman with a yellow t-shirt identified as 17-year-old teenager Jaylen Dwayne Edgar opened fire on large crowds of thousands of people during Halloween festivities. Three minutes after the first shooting, the gunman went to a second location and opened fire again near a group of police officers and civilians before being tackled and arrested.[3]
Victims
editIn total, there was 10 victims of the shooting, including nine by gunshot and one other person after being trampled while crowds were dispersing.[4] The two deceased people were identified as 25-year-old Tyreek Hill and 19-year-old Timothy Schmidt Jr.[5]
Aftermath
editEdgar was charged with adult murder charges with two counts of second-degree murder and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm but did not attend his court appearance.[6] The weapon used in the shooting, a handgun, was recovered.[7]
Reactions
editOrlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced a local state of emergency in Orlando's downtown entertainment area and enacted a 1 a.m. curfew in the wake of the shooting. Dyer condemned the shooting, stating “Honestly, I am frustrated to have to stand in front of you all and again, share the news that we have senselessly lost another life due to gun violence,”
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ 7 by gunfire.
- ^ "What Countries Celebrate Halloween?". ciee.org. October 31, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ Frigerio, Josh (November 2, 2024). "Orlando shooting updates: What we know about suspect, victims, downtown security, the investigation". Fox 35 Orlando. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ Hauari, Gabe; Cann, Christopher (November 1, 2024). "2 dead, 8 injured in Orlando mass shooting amid Halloween festivities". USA Today. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ Cohen, Rebecca; Noriega, Tangni (November 3, 2024). "Orlando police release identities of 2 killed in Halloween shooting". NBC News. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ Reyes, Cristóbal; Comas, Martin (November 4, 2024). "Teen in Halloween mass shooting in Orlando faces adult murder charges". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ Trezza, Matt (November 2, 2024). "Downtown Orlando shooting suspect does not attend court appearance; his mom did". Fox 35 Orlando. Retrieved November 4, 2024.