Orlando shootings: 17-year-old arrested after two people were killed and six injured as crowds gathered for Halloween, police said

CNN
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Two people were killed and six others wounded after a teenage gunman opened fire at two locations in downtown Orlando where large crowds had gathered to celebrate Halloween, the city's police chief said early Friday.

A 17-year-old suspect was arrested, Police Chief Eric Smith said at a news conference.

According to police, the shooting victims were between 19 and 39 years old. Two of the six surviving victims are hospitalized in critical but stable condition, Orlando Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Marlei Martinez told CNN Friday morning.

About 100 officers were working in the area, which allowed for a quick response, the chief added — although it didn't appear to deter the shooter.

“He walked past several officers,” Smith said. “He didn’t really care.”

Surveillance videos from the scene show that people gathered in large crowds for Halloween celebrations and dispersed when the shots were fired.

“Halloween is one of our busiest nights of the year,” Smith said, adding that between 50,000 and 100,000 people could gather for the celebration.

The suspect opened fire at the first location before running away with the crowd, Smith said, citing footage of the first shooting.

At a second location, police caught the suspect shortly after he opened fire, the video showed.

Measures to check people for guns during Halloween celebrations downtown in previous years – including checkpoints and gun-sniffing dogs – were not possible this year because a 2023 state law allows most people to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, said Smith.

“When the law changed, you can basically drive on public roads as long as you meet certain criteria,” he said.

Authorities are considering charging the suspect as an adult, prosecutor Andrew Bain said.

“Given the numerous victims and the brazenness of the crime, there are obviously several aggravating factors that fit into the matrix to charge him as an adult,” Bain said.

The suspect was being questioned Friday morning as police searched for a motive, Smith said.

“This person here has thrown his life away. For what?” said Smith.

The suspect was arrested for grand theft back in 2023, Smith said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

CNN's Tina Burnside contributed to this report.