Two killed, several wounded in shooting on Halloween night in Orlando, mayor declares state of emergency

The mayor of Orlando, Florida, is cracking down on the city’s entertainment district after two people were killed and several others injured in a shooting on Halloween night.

The suspect, 17-year-old Jalen Duane Edgar, was taken into custody, Orlando police said.

PHOTO: The Orlando Police Department is investigating a shooting in downtown Orlando that left multiple victims Nov. 1, 2024 (WFTV)

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Officers responded to reports of shots fired just after 1 a.m. Friday, and within minutes officers witnessed a second shooting, police said.

One person was killed at the first location and a second victim was killed at the second location, police said.

PHOTOS: Orlando police release video from the scene of the Nov. 1, 2024, shooting. (Orlando Police/X)

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said the suspect walked past more than 10 officers before opening fire.

Surveillance video captured the chaos of people fleeing the scene as police apprehended the suspect.

Police said nine people aged between 18 and 39 were injured, some of them in critical condition.

Anthony Berry, a 20-year-old training to be a paramedic, said he was thankful to be alive after being shot in the head.

A University of Central Florida student was among the two killed, according to the university.

Edgar is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, police said.

According to Smith, the motive is unknown.

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Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he is declaring a local state of emergency for establishments in the downtown entertainment district, banning alcohol sales after midnight and imposing a 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.

“Unfortunately, changes to the state’s concealed weapons laws (in 2023) have made it even easier for people to carry guns,” Dyer said at a news conference.

“You can legally carry a firearm unless you’re in a certain category: juveniles, convicted felons,” Smith explained. “For most people, it allows them, without getting a concealed weapons permit, to carry their weapons concealed.”

ABC News’ Jason Wolak contributed to this report.

Two killed, several wounded in shooting on Halloween night in Orlando, mayor declares state of emergency first appeared on abcnews.go.com