Teen Arrested After Deadly Halloween Night Shootings in Downtown Orlando Leave Two Dead, Six Injured
Orlando, FL – Two people were killed and six others injured early Friday morning after gunfire broke out in the crowded streets of downtown Orlando, where tens of thousands had gathered for Halloween festivities, police reported. The Orlando Police Department arrested a 17-year-old male suspect near the scene of the second shooting, which unfolded during one of the busiest nights of the year for the city.
According to Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith, officers responded to reports of gunfire at around 1 a.m. near Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue. As officers worked to secure the area, a second round of shots erupted just a block away on Washington Street, triggering a chaotic scene as costumed revelers fled in all directions.
Authorities confirmed that eight people were struck by bullets in the incidents, with two victims pronounced dead at the scene. Six others, ranging in age from 19 to 39, were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where they remain in stable condition. None of the victims have yet been publicly identified.
Dramatic surveillance footage from Orange Avenue captured the tense moments leading up to the shootings. In the video, a suspect can be seen approaching one of the victims in a crowd, firing a handgun, and prompting mass panic as bystanders scrambled to find safety. Just moments later, at least eight officers rushed to the area, surrounding the victim. The footage then shows the suspect fleeing into the throng before allegedly firing again and sparking another round of chaos. Police officers quickly pursued and detained the teen, with video showing one officer tackling him to the ground.
“It’s a tragedy on a night meant for celebration,” said Chief Smith during a press briefing on Friday morning. “Most people were downtown to have a great time. Unfortunately, we also have individuals who come with other intentions.”
The incident unfolded amid a Halloween celebration that drew an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 people to downtown Orlando. City officials had planned for the large crowd, deploying about 100 officers for security throughout the area.
Orange and Osceola County State Attorney Andrew Bain commented on the investigation, stating that while his office has not yet received the case, they are reviewing the details to determine the appropriate charges. “Given the severity of the incident and the factors involved, it’s very likely we will charge him as an adult,” Bain said. He added that an update would follow as investigators gather additional information.
Orlando officials noted that this is one of the deadliest incidents in the city’s downtown district in recent memory. The Halloween shootings also contribute to a troubling national trend of gun violence; the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit organization tracking mass shootings across the United States, has recorded at least 439 such incidents this year alone.
“We’re committed to finding answers,” Chief Smith said, calling for patience as investigators work to understand the events and determine the motivations behind the shootings.
