Orlando shootings: 17-year-old arrested after two people were killed and six injured as crowds gathered for Halloween, police said

CNN
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Two people were killed and six others wounded after a teenage gunman opened fire at two locations in downtown Orlando where large crowds had gathered to celebrate Halloween, the city's police chief said early Friday.

A 17-year-old suspect was arrested, Police Chief Eric Smith said at a news conference.

According to police, the shooting victims were between 19 and 39 years old. Two of the six surviving victims were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center in critical condition and are considered stable, hospital spokeswoman Marlei Martinez told CNN Friday morning.

The attack was another example of how gunfire disrupted normal American life, from parade routes to campus homecomings to a night on the town.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, this is the 27th mass shooting in Florida this year, with more than 400 nationwide. CNN defines a mass shooting as an incident in which at least four people are shot, excluding the shooter.

About 100 officers were deployed to the area, allowing for a quick response but apparently not deterring the shooter, Smith said.

“Whatever his attitude was, he was definitely going to shoot,” Smith said. “He walked past several officers. He didn’t really care.”

Police are investigating whether the victims were accidental or known to the suspect. The video shows the moment police say the suspect walks past a victim, then turns and shoots.

“Did he know him? Did he accidentally come across someone who is one of his enemies for some reason? It’s all part of the case,” Smith said.

Surveillance videos from the scene show large crowds gathered for Halloween celebrations that dispersed when the shots were fired.

“Halloween is one of our busiest nights of the year,” Smith said, adding that between 50,000 and 100,000 people could gather for the celebration.

The suspect opened fire at the first location before running away with the crowd, Smith said, citing footage of the first shooting.

At a second location, police caught the suspect shortly after he opened fire, the video showed.

Measures used in previous years Screening people for weapons during downtown Halloween celebrations — including checkpoints and gun-sniffing dogs — won't be possible this year because a 2023 state law allows most people to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, Smith said.

“When the law changed, you can basically drive on public roads as long as you meet certain criteria,” he said.

Authorities are considering charging the suspect as an adult, prosecutor Andrew Bain said.

“Given the numerous victims and the brazenness of the crime, there are obviously several aggravating factors that fit into the matrix to charge him as an adult,” Bain said.

The suspect was being questioned Friday morning as police searched for a motive, Smith said.

“This person here has thrown his life away. For what?” said Smith.

The suspect was arrested for grand theft back in 2023, Smith said.

Orlando police released the following information about the victims, in no particular order.

1. Black man, 25, killed

2. White male, 19, killed

3. White male, 38, injured in left lower leg

4. White woman, 39, shot in left hand

5. Hispanic woman, 24, shot in left leg

6. Black male, 20, with graze wound to head

7. Hispanic man, 26, shot in the right foot

8. Hispanic woman, 19, shot in upper back, trapped in cheek

9. Hispanic woman, 26. Not mentioned at press conference. She was not shot but injured when she was trampled as the crowd fled.

Police said they are assessing what resources need to be added to secure the downtown area over the weekend, which is typically a popular gathering spot on the Saturday after Halloween, they said.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNN's Tina Burnside and Kristina Sgueglia contributed to this report.