Live updates on downtown Orlando shooting: 2 dead, 7 injured in Halloween shooting; detained teenager: officials

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said two people are dead and seven others are being treated at local hospitals after a mass shooting in downtown Orlando overnight. He added that the 17-year-old is in police custody.

The shooting occurred around 1:07 a.m. in the area of ​​Orange Avenue and Central Blvd., where hundreds of people were celebrating Halloween in bars, clubs and restaurants.

A few minutes later a second Shooting was reported nearby. The police rushed to both places, identified the alleged gunman and attacked him. Chief Smith said he is currently being interviewed by detectives.

What do we know about the victims?

Police Chief Smith said two people were dead. He did not release their names pending family notification.

He added that the victims are between 19 and 39 years old.

According to Orlando Health Regional Medical Center, nine patients were hospitalized with injuries from the incident.

Here’s the casualty count as of 9:00. According to the Orlando Police Department on Friday:

Victim 1:
Black male, 25, dead

Victim 2:
White male, 19, dead

Victim 3:
White male, 18, shot in the left leg

Victim 4:
White female, 39, shot in the left hand

Victim 5:
Latina, 24, shot in the left leg

Victim 6:
Black male, 20, Headshot (grazing)

Victim 7:
Latino, 26, shot in the right foot

Victim 8:
Latina, 19, shot in the upper back, lodged in the cheek

Victim 9:
This victim was not mentioned during the press conference.
She wasn’t shot; was trampled as the crowd tried to escape the scene of the shooting.
Latina, 26, injuries caused by trampling

Timeline of the downtown Orlando shooting:

• 1:07 | First report of shots fired in the area of ​​Orange Avenue and Central Blvd. Officers heard gunshots and ran toward them, Chief Smith said. Huge crowds in the area scattered in all directions.
• Minutes later | A second report of shooting near Orange Avenue and Washington Street, nearby. As the commander added, the officers quickly took him into custody.

What do we know about the alleged suspect?

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith identified the alleged gunman as a 17-year-old boy. He added that the teenager had a gun with him.

The officers didn’t shoot him. The chief said no officers fired a shot.

A motive for the shooting was also not immediately known, but Chief Smith said detectives were speaking with the suspect.

The commander also mentioned that the suspect was already arrested in 2023 for grand theft. Details of the case were not immediately known.

Smith said the 17-year-old had not been downtown long before the shooting and did not appear to have visited any of the businesses.

“He basically walked downtown and went out into the street and did what he did,” Chief Smith said.

FOX 35 cameras covering parts of downtown captured a large police presence along Orange Avenue and Central Avenue, near Wall Street Plaza, where several bars, clubs and restaurants are located.

From one vantage point, you can see crowds walking all over Orange Avenue, which is not uncommon during a holiday weekend in downtown Orlando. A moment later, crowds of people suddenly start running away.

Several police officers are then seen running in the opposite direction.

Congressman Maxwell Frost, who represents Florida’s 10th district, posted a short message on X urging people to stay away from downtown. He mentioned reports of many people being hit.

This is a breakthrough situation. Stay with FOX 35 News for updates.