2 dead, 6 wounded in shootings during Halloween celebration in downtown Orlando

Two people were killed and six others injured after two shootings in a large crowd celebrating Halloween in downtown Orlando early Friday. A suspect is in custody, authorities said.

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith told reporters that officers responded to shots fired in the city’s downtown shortly after 1 a.m. A second shooting minutes later happened within a short distance of officers and they quickly made an arrest, he said.

The six wounded were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and were in stable condition. They ranged in age from 19 to 39, he said. A 26-year-old woman was also injured after she was trampled by the crowd attempting to flee, police said later on Friday. 

The two people killed were described as a 25-year-old man and a 19-year-old man. Their identities have not been released.

Officers responded to a report of shots fired in the city’s downtown shortly after 1 a.m. A second shooting minutes later happened within a short distance of officers and they quickly made an arrest, the city’s police Chief Eric Smith said during a briefing Friday morning.

Smith said anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 people could have been downtown at the time of the shooting, judging by views of the huge Halloween crowds.

The suspect was identified as a 17-year-old male. Smith said he was arrested for grand theft last year. There was no word on his hometown, what he was being charged with or the outcome of the other case.

There was also no indication of why he allegedly opened fire. The suspect is believed to be the only shooter, Smith said, adding that it was unclear whether he knew the victims.

“We had about 100 officers who are working the detail, spread out,” Smith told reporters, adding: “The officers responded very quickly, the officers did a great job. They responded right when they heard the shooting. You know, everybody else is running, they’re not: They’re sitting in position looking for a shooter. They found the shooter.”

Police released video from street security cameras and a police body camera showing the two shootings and the suspect’s arrest at the second shooting location.

A handgun was recovered at the arrest scene, Smith said.

Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain said during the news conference charging the teen suspect as an adult is a possibility but his agency would await further information from the police investigation.

Orlando police said it is considering the need for added patrols during the weekend.