Two dead and 6 injured in downtown Orlando as hundreds of terrified revelers seen fleeing for their lives on Halloween
TWO people have been shot dead and six others are injured after a 17-year-old allegedly opened fire in downtown Orlando this morning.
Aerial footage shows the moment crowds fled for their lives on Orange Avenue – home to a number of bars, clubs, and restaurants -shortly after 1 am.
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said two people were shot dead and six others were rushed to hospital.
He said a 17-year-old boy, who allegedly used a handgun to carry out the deadly attack, has been taken into custody.
“He pretty much walked into downtown, walked into the street and did what he did,” Chief Smith said during a press conference on Friday.
Smith added that the teen did not walk into any clubs.
It’s understood hundreds were out on the town celebrating Halloween at the time.
Footage taken by FOX 35 captured a large police presence along Orange Avenue and Central Avenue, near Wall Street Plaza.
At one point, crowds can be seen walking all over Orange Avenue.
Moments later, a swarm of people begin to run at speed.
Several police officers run in the opposite direction as the chaotic scene unfolds.
Police Chief Smith said this morning the victims involved were aged between 19 and 39 years old.
He confirmed they do not yet have a motive for the suspect but “believe he is the only suspect at this time”.
“We are dealing with a very big crowd,” Smith told reporters, as he praised the actions of police at the scene.
“The officers responded when they heard the shooting,” he said.
In a post on X early Friday, Orland Police called it a “critical incident,” and said it was “conducting a shooting investigation”.
“We are still gathering information and interviewing witnesses,’ the post read.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.
Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun