Suspect in Halloween shooting in Orlando waived court appearance
MIAMI — The suspect in a shooting at a Halloween celebration in downtown Orlando Friday night was identified as 17-year-old Jaylen Dwayne Edgar. The incident left two people dead and seven others injured. The teenager was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, police said Friday afternoon.
A former Cypress Bay High School student was among the two people killed in the shootings during a Halloween celebration in Orlando on Friday, the City of Weston confirmed.
The city posted on X that Timothy Schmidt Jr., 19, was one of the victims, calling the news "heartbreaking."
"We again find ourselves sending our sympathy [and] prayers to those killed and injured in a mass shooting in Orlando on Halloween," the City of Weston said Saturday.
Heartbreaking - We again find ourselves sending our sympathy & prayers to those killed and injured in a mass shooting in Orlando on Halloween. Former Cypress Bay student Tim Schmidt Jr. is among those killed. We send our support to the families, friends and The Bay community. 🙏
— City of Weston (@CityofWeston) November 2, 2024
"We send our support to the families, friends and The Bay community," the city continued.
The Nu Delta chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi of the University of Central Florida set up an online fundraiser in his honor, where all proceeds will go toward his father Timothy Schmidt Sr. to be used for funeral expenses and all other associated costs.
"He was an extraordinary person, loving son, caring friend, talented soccer player, astounding teammate, kind soul, hardworking student and individual with an extremely warm heart and a witty sense of humor," the fundraiser said.
Schmidt is survived by his father, his mother Lina and stepmother Michelle, along with the rest of family, friends and his community.
The Orlando Halloween shootings
Schmidt and 25-year-old Tyrek Hill were killed, and seven others were injured after two shootings happened in a large crowd celebrating Halloween in downtown Orlando early Friday.
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith told reporters that officers responded to shots fired in the area shortly after 1 a.m. A second shooting happened minutes later within a short distance of the officers and they quickly made an arrest.
The suspect was identified as Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, 17, who was reportedly arrested for grand theft last year. Police said he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.
Six of the wounded were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where they were said to be in stable condition. A seventh person, only identified as a woman, was also shot and took herself to a local hospital. Smith said they ranged in age from 19 to 39.
Police said later Friday that a 26-year-old woman was also injured after the fleeing crowd trampled her.
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.
Smith said anywhere between 50,000 to 100,000 people could have been in downtown Orlando at the time of the shooting, judging by the views of the huge Halloween crowds.
There was also no immediate 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. A handgun was recovered at the arrest scene, Smith said.
"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."
Smith said in a separate news conference Friday afternoon that the two deaths are the 18th and 19th homicides in Orlando this year.
Sofia Alcala, who works downtown, told CBS affiliate WKMG that she heard the gunshots before everyone started "freaking out."
"Everyone started running," she said. "I saw a group of people, you know, enjoying Halloween ... and then shots fired, and everybody just dispersed. I heard so many girls calling and crying."
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced in a press conference Friday afternoon that he would be activating a local state of emergency for establishments in downtown Orlando that will end alcohol sales at midnight. He said a curfew will be implemented between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
"We don't make this decision lightly and we pursued a number of measures before reaching this point," Dyer said, adding: "We want a downtown that is fun and vibrant but we have experienced lately brazen criminals are willing to come downtown and shoot and kill innocent victims right in front of our police officers."
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.
Smith said the police department is increasing its patrols in downtown Orlando this weekend.