Two dead and several injured in shooting on Halloween night in Orlando, mayor declares local state of emergency

The mayor of Orlando, Florida, is cracking down on the city’s entertainment district after two people were killed and several others injured in a shooting on Halloween night.

The suspect, 17-year-old Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, was taken into custody, Orlando police said.

Officers responded to reports of shots fired just after 1 a.m. Friday and within minutes officers witnessed a second shooting, police said.

One person was killed at the first scene and the second victim was killed at the second scene, police said.

Nine people aged 18 to 39 were injured, some seriously, police said.

The suspect walked past more than a dozen officers moments before opening fire, Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said.

Surveillance footage captured the chaos of people fleeing the scene as officers apprehended the suspect.

Edgar has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, police said.

A motive is unknown, Smith said.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he is issuing a local state of emergency for restaurants in the downtown entertainment district, banning alcohol sales after midnight and imposing a curfew from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.

“It’s unfortunate that changes in state concealed weapons laws (in 2023) have made it even easier for people to carry guns,” Dyer said at a news conference.

“You can legally carry a firearm unless you fall into a certain category: minor, convicted felon,” Smith explained. “For most people, without getting a concealed weapons permit, it allows them to carry a weapon concealed.”

ABC News’ Jason Volack contributed to this report.