Orlando Halloween Shooting Leaves Tyrek Hill and Timothy Schmidt Jr. Dead

ORLANDO, Fla. — The city of Orlando was shaken by a tragic Halloween shooting that left two young men dead and nine others injured in a bustling downtown area. The Orlando Police Department identified the deceased as 25-year-old Tyrek Hill and 19-year-old Timothy Schmidt Jr., both killed when gunfire erupted on East Central Boulevard near North Orange Avenue in the early hours of Nov. 1.

Police arrested 17-year-old Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, who they allege is responsible for the deadly shooting. Edgar faces two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder, Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith announced on Friday. Investigators believe the gunfire was targeted and deliberate, casting a dark shadow over Halloween festivities.

According to Chief Smith, officers arrived at the scene quickly, given the heavy police presence that night. Nearly 100 officers were patrolling the downtown area due to the anticipated large crowds. However, despite swift police response, the violent incident left several individuals with serious injuries, adding to the city’s rising concerns over safety in the downtown entertainment district.

Six of the nine injured victims were transported to Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center and remain in stable condition. Victims ranged in age from 18 to 39, suffering from a variety of injuries. Details on their conditions include:

Victim 1: Tyrek Hill, 25, deceased
Victim 2: Timothy Schmidt Jr., 19, deceased
Victim 3: 18-year-old male, shot in the lower left leg
Victim 4: 39-year-old female, shot in the left hand
Victim 5: 24-year-old female, shot in the left leg
Victim 6: 20-year-old male, grazed by a bullet to the head
Victim 7: 26-year-old male, shot in the right foot
Victim 8: 19-year-old female, shot in the upper back with a bullet lodged in her cheek
Victim 9: 26-year-old female, sustained injuries from being trampled in the chaos

The incident prompted swift responses from city officials. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer expressed deep concern, announcing a state of emergency in the downtown district and implementing a curfew from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., with alcohol sales ending at midnight. These measures aim to curb violence and restore a sense of security for Orlando’s nightlife scene.

As the investigation continues, police urge anyone with additional information about the shooting to come forward. This tragedy has left the Orlando community grappling with the consequences of gun violence, particularly during public celebrations, and city officials are calling for enhanced safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.