02 dead and 06 injured in downtown Orlando shooting; police report a 17-year-old suspect has been arrested:

**ORLANDO, Fla.** –    02 people were killed and 06 others injured early Friday in a shooting in downtown Orlando, according to police.

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith announced at a news conference that 17-year-old Jaylen Edgar has been arrested in connection with the incident, although the motive remains unclear.
Emergency calls began coming in just after 1 a.m. reporting multiple gunshot victims near Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue. A subsequent call alerted authorities to additional gunfire near Washington Street and Orange Avenue.
“Shortly after reports of shots fired, officers apprehended a suspect at Washington and Orange,” Smith stated. “The officers witnessed the second round of shots being fired at Washington. We reviewed camera footage from major intersections to investigate the first shooting on Central. The cameras helped us identify the suspect quickly, and our officers were already in the vicinity during the second incident, observing as he opened fire, hitting multiple individuals.”
At the time of this writing, authorities believe Jaylen Edgar is the sole suspect in the shooting, according to Chief Smith. He noted that Edgar had previously faced grand theft charges in 2023. 
"On the night of the incident, we had about 100 officers on duty, as seen in the videos. The response was swift; the officers acted immediately upon hearing the shots. While others were running away, they focused on locating the shooter and apprehended him," Smith said.
The victims, aged 19 to 39, were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Chief Smith reported that those who survived were in stable condition at the time of the update.
Later on Friday, Orlando Regional Medical Center confirmed it received nine patients from the shooting but did not specify which had sustained gunshot wounds. As of 6:30 a.m., their conditions were as follows:

• - One male: critical but stable
• - One female: critical but stable
• - Four females: stable
• - Two females: discharged
• - One male: deceased

No further details about the victims have been released.

Chief Smith estimated that between 50,000 and 100,000 people were downtown at the time of the shooting, considering the large Halloween crowds.

Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain mentioned during the news conference that Edgar could potentially be charged as an adult pending further investigation.

Smith also addressed changes in state law that affected weapon bans in downtown Orlando. "Previously, we had measures in place, such as closures and security dogs, but those changed with the new law allowing firearms on public streets under certain conditions. As a result, we can no longer enforce those restrictions. We're collaborating with the city and local clubs to explore new security measures, especially with so many people downtown. While most come to enjoy themselves, there are always a few who may have other intentions."

According to state law, it is illegal for anyone under 18 to possess a firearm, except in limited circumstances involving unloaded firearms at home.

The Orlando Police Department has stated it is considering increasing patrols for Saturday.

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