A tragic incident unfolded in the heart of Orlando, Florida, during the early hours of a Halloween celebration on Friday, claiming the lives of two individuals. The shooting took place in the vicinity of The Block, a bustling nightlife hub that houses seven clubs. At the time, the area was teeming with hundreds of revelers participating in a cash-prize costume contest.
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith confirmed that the initial reports of gunfire were received around 1:07 a.m. near the intersection of Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue. Shortly after, a second shooting was reported a block north at the junction of Washington Street and Orange Avenue. The incident resulted in six additional injuries, with the victims promptly rushed to local hospitals. The injured, now in stable condition, are aged between 19 and 31 years.
The alleged shooter, 17-year-old Jalen Dwayne Edgar, was swiftly apprehended by the police following his reported second round of gunfire on the crowd. Edgar, who has a prior arrest record for grand theft in 2023, did not enter any of the clubs upon his arrival in downtown Orlando. He was armed with a handgun and is currently the sole suspect in the incident.
Security footage from the scene captured the initial shooting, showing Edgar approaching the victim and opening fire. Further footage from the second shooting depicted Edgar discharging his weapon into a crowd near a police cruiser. An officer at the scene managed to subdue Edgar by sweeping his legs from underneath him and tackling him to the ground.
During a press conference, Chief Smith lauded the responding officers for their immediate action. He highlighted that the officers did not hesitate to move towards the danger, scanning the scene and taking action to ensure the safety of others. The Halloween celebrations were estimated to have drawn between 50,000 and 100,000 attendees.
The motive behind the shooting has not yet been disclosed by the police. However, officials believe Edgar was intent on committing a mass shooting, as he was seen walking past several officers through the crowds. State Attorney Andrew Bain stated that due to the multiple victims and the brazen nature of the crime, there are several aggravating factors that could lead to Edgar being charged as an adult.