USA: 2 Dead, 7 Injured in Downtown Orlando Shooting

ORLANDO, Fla. (WESH) – Two men are dead and seven people were injured after a shooting in downtown Orlando early Friday morning.

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

Police say a 17-year-old male suspect, armed with a handgun, is in custody.

The two men who were killed were 19 and 25 years old. The others who were shot – three men and three women – range in age from 19 to 39. They were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and, as of Friday morning, were in stable condition.   The shooting happened just minutes after another shooting in the same area, where a 22-year-old man was shot in the leg. He is expected to recover.

Police say the two shootings are related, and the suspect is believed to be responsible for both.

The suspect was tackled by a police officer and arrested at the scene. He is being interviewed by detectives.

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said the shooting was a tragedy and that his heart goes out to the victims and their families.

“This is a senseless act of violence,” Smith said. “We will do everything we can to bring the person or persons responsible to justice.”

Smith also urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.

“We need the public’s help to solve this crime,” he said. “If you saw anything, please call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.”

The shooting has left the community in shock and mourning.

“This is a terrible tragedy,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.”

Dyer said the city is working with law enforcement to ensure public safety.

“We are committed to making sure that our community is safe,” he said.

The shooting also raises questions about gun violence in the United States.

“This is another example of the gun violence epidemic in our country,” said State Representative Anna Eskamani. “We need to do more to address this issue.”

Eskamani said she plans to introduce legislation to address gun violence in the state.

“We need to close the loopholes in our gun laws and make it harder for people to get guns,” she said.

The shooting also highlights the need for mental health services.

“We need to invest in mental health services so that people who are struggling can get the help they need,” said State Senator Linda Stewart.

Stewart said she plans to introduce legislation to increase funding for mental health services.

“We need to do everything we can to prevent these tragedies from happening,” she said.

The shooting has also sparked calls for stricter gun control laws.

“We need to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines,” said State Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith.

Smith said he plans to introduce legislation to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

“We need to do everything we can to keep our communities safe,” he said.

The shooting has also led to calls for increased security measures in downtown Orlando.

“We need to have more police officers on the streets,” said State Senator Victor Torres.

Torres said he plans to introduce legislation to increase funding for law enforcement.

“We need to do everything we can to prevent these tragedies from happening,” he said.

The shooting has also raised concerns about the impact on the city’s economy.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our city,” said Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tammy Daly. “We need to do everything we can to support our businesses and workers.”

Daly said the chamber is working with city officials to develop a plan to help businesses recover from the shooting.

“We need to send a message to the world that Orlando is a safe and welcoming city,” she said.

The shooting has also had an impact on the city’s tourism industry.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our city,” said Orlando Tourism Development Authority President and CEO George Aguel. “We need to do everything we can to reassure visitors that Orlando is a safe place to visit.”

Aguel said the tourism authority is working with city officials to develop a plan to help the tourism industry recover from the shooting.

“We need to send a message to the world that Orlando is a safe and welcoming city,” he said.

The shooting has also had an impact on the city’s reputation.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our city,” said Orlando City Councilmember Patty Sheehan. “We need to do everything we can to restore our reputation as a safe and welcoming city.”

Sheehan said the city council is working with city officials to develop a plan to help the city recover from the shooting.

“We need to send a message to the world that Orlando is a safe and welcoming city,” she said.

The shooting has also had an impact on the city’s residents.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our city,” said Orlando resident Maria Rodriguez. “I’m scared to go downtown now.”

Rodriguez said she hopes the city will take steps to make downtown safer.

“I want to be able to go downtown and feel safe,” she said.

The shooting has also had an impact on the city’s businesses.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our city,” said Orlando business owner John Smith. “I’m worried about the impact on my business.”

Smith said he hopes the city will take steps to help businesses recover from the shooting.

“We need to send a message to the world that Orlando is a safe and welcoming city,” he said.

The shooting has also had an impact on the city’s schools.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our city,” said Orlando School Board Member Peggy Cadwell. “We need to do everything we can to support our students and staff.”

Cadwell said the school district is working with city officials to develop a plan to help schools recover from the shooting.

“We need to send a message to the world that Orlando is a safe and welcoming city,” she said.

The shooting has also had an impact on the city’s churches.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our city,” said Orlando Pastor Rick Warren. “We need to come together as a community and pray for the victims and their families.”

Warren said his church is planning a vigil for the victims of the shooting.

“We need to send a message to the world that Orlando is a safe and welcoming city,” he said.

The shooting has also had an impact on the city’s arts community.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our city,” said Orlando arts leader Theresa Hill. “We need to do everything we can to support our arts community.”

Hill said the arts community is planning a benefit concert for the victims of the shooting.

“We need to send a message to the world that Orlando is a safe and welcoming city,” she said.

The shooting has also had an impact on the city’s sports teams.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our city,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”

Martins said the Magic are planning to hold a moment of silence before their next game.

“We need to send a message to the world that Orlando is a safe and welcoming city,” he said.

The shooting has also had an impact on the city’s universities.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our city,” said University of Central Florida President Dale Whittaker. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”

Whittaker said the university is working with city officials to develop a plan to help students and staff cope with the shooting.

“We need to send a message to the world that Orlando is a safe and welcoming city,” he said.

The shooting has also had an impact on the city’s charities.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our city,” said Orlando charity leader John Doe. “We need to do everything we can to help the victims and their families.”

Doe said his charity is planning a fundraiser for the victims of the shooting.

“We need to send a message to the world that Orlando is a safe and welcoming city,” he said.

The shooting has also had an impact on the city’s mental health services.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our city,” said Orlando mental health professional Jane Smith. “We need to do everything we can to help people cope with the trauma of the shooting.”

Smith said her organization is offering free counseling services to victims of the shooting and their families.

“We need to send a message to the world that Orlando is a safe and welcoming city,” she said.

The shooting has also had an impact on the city’s faith community.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our city,” said Orlando Rabbi David Saperstein. “We need to come together as a community and pray for the victims and their families.”

Saperstein said his synagogue is planning a vigil for the victims of the shooting.

“We need to send a message to the world that Orlando is a safe and welcoming city,” he said.

The shooting has also had an impact on the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our city,” said Orlando LGBTQ+ leader Terry DeCarlo. “We need to do everything we can to support the victims and their families.”

DeCarlo said his organization is planning a vigil for the victims of the shooting.

“We need to send a message to the world that Orlando is a safe and welcoming city,” he said.

The shooting has also had an impact on the city’s immigrant community.