Jaylen Dwayne Edgar dies in fatal Orlando Halloween shooting
Fatal Orlando Halloween shooting death of Jaylen Dwayne Edgar – Obituary
Two individuals lost their lives, and seven others were injured following a mass shooting that took place in downtown Orlando during Halloween celebrations. The incident occurred shortly after 1 a.m. when police received reports of gunfire in the lively entertainment district where many were out celebrating.
A 17-year-old suspect, identified as Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, has been taken into custody. He faces serious charges, including first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. The authorities stated that he was armed with a handgun at the time of the shooting.
Witnesses reported that chaos ensued as gunshots rang out near the intersection of Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard. As police rushed to the scene, another round of gunfire was reported a short distance away. Officers quickly apprehended Edgar without further incident, and no shots were fired by law enforcement during the encounter.
The police have not disclosed the motive for the attack, but they are currently questioning the detained teen, who reportedly had a previous arrest for grand theft in 2023. According to Chief Eric Smith, Edgar had only recently arrived in the downtown area before the shooting and did not seem to enter any local businesses.
The victims, whose ages range from 19 to 39, include two deceased individuals—a 25-year-old Black male and a 19-year-old white male. The other victims suffered various injuries, with conditions ranging from gunshot wounds to injuries sustained while fleeing the scene. As of Friday morning, local hospitals reported that they received nine patients in connection with the shooting.
In light of the tragedy, local officials and community members are grappling with the implications of such violence during a time meant for celebration.