Two people were killed and six others were injured after a teenage gunman opened fire at two locations in downtown Orlando where large crowds gathered to celebrate Halloween, the city’s police chief said Friday.
A 17-year-old suspect was arrested, Police Chief Eric Smith said at a news conference. The injured victims were taken to a hospital and are in stable condition.
About 100 officers were working the area, which allowed for a quick response, the chief added — although that did not appear to stop the shooter.
“He walked past several police officers,” Smith said. “He didn’t really care.”
People in large crowds gathered for Halloween festivities dispersed when shots were fired, surveillance video from the scene shows.
“Halloween is one of our busiest nights of the year,” Smith said, adding that 50,000 to 100,000 people can gather for the celebration.
The suspect opened fire at the first location before fleeing with the crowd, Smith said, citing footage of the first shooting.
At a second location, police took down the suspect moments after he opened fire, the video showed.
Authorities are considering whether to charge the suspect as an adult, Orange County District Attorney Andrew Bain said.
“Obviously, from the multiple victims and the brazen nature of the crime, there are several aggravating factors that would fit the matrix to charge him as an adult,” Bain said.
The suspect was being interviewed Friday morning as police search for a motive, Smith said.
“This person here threw away his life. Why?” said Smith.
The suspect was previously arrested on an aggravated robbery charge in 2023, Smith said.
This content was originally published in Shooting attack in Orlando leaves two dead and six injured on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil

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