(Scypre.com) – Orlando, Florida — A festive Halloween celebration in downtown Orlando turned tragic last Friday night when a gunman opened fire in a crowd, claiming the lives of two young men and leaving seven others injured. The shooting, which took place shortly after 1 a.m., has left the community grieving and searching for answers.
Orlando police identified the two victims as 25-year-old Tyrek Hill and 19-year-old Timothy Schmidt Jr. Both men were killed in the chaotic scene that unfolded as revelers gathered for Halloween festivities. Among the injured were six people with gunshot wounds and a seventh individual who was trampled in the rush to escape. Victims ranged in age from 18 to 39, according to police reports.
Timothy Schmidt Jr., who had been a part of the Plantation FC Rush soccer club, was remembered by his friends, coaches, and teammates as a young man with a bright future. “He was the sweetest person I ever coached in my life,” Anis Jerbi, the club’s director, shared in an interview with NBC South Florida. “I saw a great person, a great future ahead of him, but sometimes God has plans we don’t understand,” Jerbi said, holding back tears as he recalled Schmidt’s positive impact on those around him.
Tan Bei, a friend of Schmidt’s, echoed these sentiments, describing him as “good people” and emphasizing that Schmidt’s memory brought nothing but positivity. “When you think about him, not a single negative thought appears,” Bei said. Schmidt’s loved ones now face the difficult task of moving forward without him, remembering the joy and kindness he shared with those around him.
In connection with the tragedy, police arrested 17-year-old Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, who now faces two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm. Authorities reported that Edgar has not cooperated with investigators, and they are still working to establish a motive and determine how the firearm used in the attack was obtained.
The events of the night were captured in security footage released by the Orlando Police Department. In the video, the suspected shooter can be seen blending in with the Halloween crowd moments before raising his right hand and opening fire. The scene immediately plunged into panic as gunfire erupted, with people scrambling in every direction to escape the deadly violence.
At the time of the shooting, about 100 police officers were already patrolling the area, a precaution taken for what is typically one of Orlando’s busiest nights of the year. Police Chief Eric Smith explained that the city attracts between 50,000 and 100,000 people to its downtown area each Halloween. “This is a night of celebration for so many in Orlando, and it should never have ended in tragedy,” Chief Smith said during a press briefing.
The swift action by Orlando’s police force may have prevented further casualties. Within moments of the first shots, officers on the scene subdued the suspect, with one officer knocking him to the ground and three others stepping in to complete the arrest. “Our officers acted quickly to prevent any more harm. We are incredibly proud of their bravery and composure in a situation like this,” Chief Smith added.
For the friends and family members of Hill, Schmidt, and the others affected, the Halloween shooting marks a grim reality that no one expected. The outpouring of support and condolences has been overwhelming as the community struggles to process the shock of the loss. A vigil is planned in downtown Orlando to honor Hill, Schmidt, and those who were injured, as friends and loved ones come together to find comfort and healing amid tragedy.
Meanwhile, police continue to investigate, piecing together the events leading up to the shooting and seeking to understand what motivated the attack. As the community waits for answers, Orlando grieves, remembering the lives lost and the bright future that was stolen from a young man just beginning to make his mark on the world.