ORLANDO, Fla. – A 17-year-old accused of firing into a crowd early Friday in downtown Orlando will be prosecuted as an adult, the State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit announced Monday.
Two people were killed, seven others were shot and wounded and another victim was trampled and injured while celebrating Halloween, according to Orlando police.
Jaylen Dwayne Edgar was arrested in connection with the shooting and faces two counts of second-degree murder with a firearm and at least six counts of attempted second-degree murder with a firearm.
State Attorney Andrew Bain said charges of first-degree murder must come from a grand jury indictment and additional charges will be forthcoming.
“This decision is based on several aggravating factors, including the brazen nature of the crime and multiple victims who were shot in the middle of the street downtown while simply celebrating Halloween,” Bain said. “I personally reviewed and looked at all the records and videos in this case and there’s no question that this individual should be charged as an adult.”
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According to Orlando police, an emergency call was made just after 1 a.m. reporting that several people had been shot in the area of Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue, according to the Orlando Police Department. A second call reported more gunfire near Washington Street and Orange Avenue. Nearly 75,000 people were downtown at the time of the shooting, police estimated.
On Sunday, the Orlando Police Department confirmed the identities of the two people killed in the shooting: 25-year-old Tyrek Hill and 19-year-old Timothy Schmidt Jr.
Edgar was arrested in December by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for grand theft of a motor vehicle, records show. Deputies said they observed Edgar driving a car that had been previously reported stolen from an apartment complex.
“In a juvenile case when they’re arrested for pretty much any non-violent offense, they’re going to be released back to their parents, especially if it’s their first offense,” Bain said. “So that’s exactly what occurred during this case.”
Bain said that case, which involves a a third-degree felony charge, will also be moved to the adult circuit court.
Mayor Buddy Dyer also addressed the shooting at the start of Monday’s city council meeting.
Dyer had already issued a state of emergency for seven days, stopping alcohol sales in the downtown entertainment district after midnight and implementing a 1 - 5 a.m. curfew.
Action beyond that order would require a vote by the city council.
“We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the current security measures in place and work with OPD to ensure residents and patrons coming downtown are safe,” said Mayor Dyer.
Edgar made his first court appearance on Tuesday, and a judge did not set a bond. His next court appearance is set for Nov. 12.
The motive for the shooting is not known.
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