ORLANDO, Fla. – The 17-year-old facing charges for a deadly shooting during Halloween celebrations in downtown Orlando told detectives he’s “had trouble due to the amount of stress he has been under,” according to newly released court documents.
An arrest affidavit for Jaylen Edgar describes what he told officers and what witnesses saw the night of the shooting. Orlando police say the teen fired into a crowd where thousands were out for Halloween. Nine people were shot, and two of them died. Another woman was trampled as people ran away.
Video released by police shows a man in a yellow shirt look back, raise his arm, and then shoot while walking on Orange Avenue near Central Boulevard. Edgar’s arrest affidavit says he headed east on Central after killing one person, turned north on Court Avenue and passed by many other businesses, partygoers, and officers before reappearing on Orange Avenue near Washington Street.
Officers in that area say they saw the teen open fire again where another person was killed and seven more were shot.
According to court documents, the firearm was recovered from Edgar’s right pant leg once he was handcuffed on the ground.
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Edgar was later interviewed at police headquarters where he explained how “he has been affected by numerous deaths of loved ones he has had to witness in his life” and has “had trouble due to the amount of stress he has been under,” according to the affidavit. It also states he told detectives he came to downtown Orlando with a friend and met others while he was there. He claims he got the gun earlier that day when he “found it” at “another location.”
Orlando police estimate up to 75,000 people were in downtown Orlando for the holiday. Most of the witnesses did not see the actual shooting take place or were injured while running away from the gunfire.
Anthony Berry spoke about his experience after receiving care at Orlando Regional Medical Center. Berry said the suspect was confrontational and was pushing through the crowd.
“He started getting aggressive, verbally, increasing the tone of his voice,” said Berry.
Berry said he saw the teen pull out a gun, and he ducked. One of the bullets grazed his head.
“Boom! I just saw a light flash,” said Berry. “I just feel like, my head, a little heated. That’s what it felt like.”
Timothy Schmidt Jr, a 19-year-old freshman at the University of Central Florida, was killed. A GoFundMe page created by the Alpha Epsilon Pi Nu Delta Chapter of Central Florida says he was “an extraordinary person, loving son, caring friend, talented soccer player, astounding teammate, kind soul, hardworking student and individual with an extremely warm heart and a witty sense of humor.”
Tyrek Hill, 25, was also killed. A vigil was held in his honor Wednesday night in Clermont. His mother said her son was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She described him as a bright light.
“It’s just, it’s hard,” said Teresa Clinton. “But I know God is going to get me and my family through this because of the love we are being shown and the character of my son.”
Edgar is facing charges of murder and attempted murder. One of the arresting officers said he had an encounter with Edgar shortly before the shooting. According to an affidavit, he saw Edgar climb onto the back of an Orlando Fire Department vehicle and laid down on stretcher while people took pictures of him. The officer ordered him to get down and said he did not see him again until roughly 30 minutes later when the shooting happened.
On Thursday, he faced a judge for a different case, a grand theft auto arrest from last November. He is being held without bond after the shooting.
The State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit says Edgar will be charged as an adult.
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