Timothy Schmidt Jr. dies in fatal Orlando Halloween shooting
Fatal Orlando Halloween shooting death of Timothy Schmidt Jr. – Obituary
Timothy Schmidt Jr., a 19-year-old freshman at the University of Central Florida and a talented soccer player with Weston FC, was identified as one of the two people killed in a mass shooting during Halloween celebrations in downtown Orlando. Schmidt was out enjoying the festivities near “The Block,” a popular entertainment district, when a 17-year-old suspect allegedly opened fire on a crowd of revelers, killing Schmidt and 25-year-old Tyrek Hill and injuring eight others.
The shooting occurred around 1 a.m. on Nov. 1, with Orlando police responding to reports of gunfire near Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue. Moments later, officers witnessed a second shooting incident a block away. Both Schmidt and Hill were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where they were pronounced dead.
Schmidt’s father, Timothy Schmidt Sr., spoke about his profound loss, recalling the close bond he shared with his son, whom he described as his “mini me and best friend.” Schmidt Jr., known for his warmth and humor, had recently been a groomsman and delivered a heartfelt speech at his father’s wedding, moving everyone to tears.
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith announced the arrest of the alleged shooter, Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, who faces two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder. According to police, Edgar fired into the crowd before fleeing, sparking chaos as frightened Halloween-goers scrambled for safety.
A GoFundMe page created by Schmidt’s friend, Jacob Egozi, has raised over $30,000 toward a goal of $40,000 to support Schmidt’s grieving father.