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“Tragic Downtown Orlando Shooting Leaves 2 Dead, 7 Injured”

ORLANDO – Two people have died, and at least seven others are injured after a shooting in downtown Orlando, Florida, early Friday morning. Thousands were out celebrating Halloween when the shooting occurred, police said.

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of carrying out the attack. Police have not yet determined a motive, and the identities of the victims have not been released. The victims are reported to range in age from 19 to 39.

The two people who died were identified as a 25-year-old Black man and a 19-year-old white man. Six others suffered gunshot wounds, while a 26-year-old woman was injured after being trampled as the crowd fled.

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith stated at a news conference early Friday that shots were fired just after 1 a.m. at Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue, with more shots heard nearby minutes later.

"Tragic Downtown Orlando Shooting Leaves 2 Dead, 7 Injured"

The injured people were taken to Orlando Medical Center for treatment, and all are reported to be in stable condition.

Police said they have arrested the suspect, who is now in custody. The suspect was also previously arrested for grand theft in 2023, a case that is still under investigation.

Orlando police released surveillance video showing the suspect, wearing a yellow shirt, walking through a crowded area. In the video, he appears to raise his right hand and open fire. People started running in all directions as the shots were fired. The video also shows an officer tackling the suspect, with three more officers quickly stepping in to help arrest him.

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith explained at a news conference that Halloween is one of the city’s busiest nights, with an expected crowd of 50,000 to 100,000 people. About 100 police officers were patrolling downtown, and they were able to stop the shooter soon after the shots rang out.

Police shared security camera footage showing the streets packed with people, who were seen running away in fear as the gunfire started.

Chief Smith praised the officers, saying, “They did a great job. While everyone else was running, they stayed focused, looking for the shooter, found him, and took him down.”

Smith also said the suspect seemed determined to carry out the shooting, as he walked past at least 10 officers without hesitation.

Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain added that it’s likely the suspect will be charged as an adult as the investigation continues.

Residents say area has grown increasingly chaotic

On Friday morning, just hours after the shooting, people working and walking in downtown Orlando were going about their day with few signs left of what had happened. Only a short stretch of yellow police tape remained, hanging between a parking meter and a nearby business.

Kenneth Brown, 59, was in the area to visit his bank, as he does a couple of times a week. Kenneth, who works at a dry-cleaning business, felt sad when he heard about the shooting. “That’s a shame. It really is,” he said. “It makes me want to bank somewhere else.”

Rocio Taylor, 70, lives a few blocks away from where the shooting happened. She said she usually avoids going out after 7 p.m. on weekends because the bars and clubs get too wild. Rocio, who works at a wedding dress shop, mentioned that the area often holds festivals and draws a younger crowd. She wishes there were more police around. “It’s Halloween,” she said. “They drink too much alcohol. They go to nightclubs. They’re out of control.”

Andre, 45, was in downtown Orlando on Thursday night, from around 8 p.m. until just before the shooting happened around 12:45 a.m. He noticed thousands of people celebrating, many in Halloween costumes. Andre himself dressed as Freddy Krueger. The crowd, he said, mostly ranged in age from 20 to 40, but he also saw a few kids and even a mother pushing a stroller.

Andre, who is from Kissimmee, said the police were present and watching over the crowds. “The atmosphere was really good. People were laughing and taking pictures together. I’m shocked. Everybody was having a good time,” he said. Andre felt lucky he left just before the chaos began.

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