Orlando Halloween celebration mass shooting: 2 dead, 6 injured; 17-year-old suspect arrested

“He was gonna shoot no matter what,” reveals Police Chief after tragic Halloween celebration shooting.

A Halloween celebration in downtown Orlando turned deadly early Friday morning when gunfire erupted outside The Block, a popular nightlife district home to seven clubs.

According to Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith, officers responded to reports of shots fired around 1:07 a.m. on Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue, where two people were killed and six others were injured. 

Just minutes later, another shooting was reported one block north, further shocking the crowd of 50,000 to 100,000 revelers. The victims, aged 19 to 31, were rushed to local hospitals and are reported to be in stable condition.

The suspected shooter, identified as 17-year-old Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, allegedly opened fire a second time, leading police to intervene and arrest him on the spot. Security footage showed Edgar walking through the crowd before he pulled out a handgun and fired at a victim point-blank, causing chaos on the packed streets. 

“They’re always trained, and they’re always ready to act,” Chief Smith said of the officers. “As soon as they heard the shots fired… they took action to keep everyone else safe.” 

State Attorney Andrew Bain confirmed that Edgar, with multiple aggravating factors in his case, will be charged as an adult.

Footage captured by body cameras showed the tense moments as police tackled Edgar, securing him before more harm could be done. 

Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the shooting, which, as Smith stated, appeared to be premeditated. 

“Whatever his mindset was, he was gonna shoot no matter what,” Smith revealed. “He walked by multiple officers… he knew what he was gonna do.”