Crime
Victims killed in Orlando Halloween shooting identified
Suspect Jaylen Dwayne Edgar has been charged with two counts of First-Degree Murder with a Firearm and six counts of Attempted First Degree Murder with a Firearm.
A tragic Halloween shooting in downtown Orlando left two people dead and seven others injured in the early hours of November 1.
The Orlando Police Department responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 1:07 a.m. near East Central Boulevard and North Orange Avenue, where chaos erupted as bullets struck multiple individuals in a densely populated nightlife area.
According to Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith, a total of nine people were shot.
Two victims were pronounced dead, while six others were transported to Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center and are reportedly in stable condition.
The ages of those affected range from 19 to 39. Detailed information on the victimsโ identities and conditions was provided:
- Victim 1: Tyrek Hill, 25, deceased.
- Victim 2: Timothy Schmidt Jr., 19, deceased.
- Victim 3: White male, 18, suffered a gunshot wound to the lower left leg.
- Victim 4: White female, 39, shot in the left hand.
- Victim 5: Hispanic female, 24, sustained a gunshot wound to the left leg.
- Victim 6: Black male, 20, grazed by a bullet to the head.
- Victim 7: Hispanic male, 26, injured by a gunshot to the right foot.
- Victim 8: Hispanic female, 19, shot in the upper back, with the bullet lodged in her cheek.
- Victim 9: Hispanic female, 26, sustained injuries from being trampled during the chaos.
Tim, a 19-year-old from Weston, Florida, was a freshman at the University of Central Florida, filled with ambition and dreams of one day following in his fatherโs footsteps to become a successful businessman. His life was filled with promise, and he was deeply cherished by everyone who knew him.
Tim was an extraordinary young manโan affectionate son, a loyal friend, a talented soccer player, and an outstanding teammate. Known for his warm heart and quick wit, he had a way of bringing joy to those around him. He was also a dedicated student, putting immense effort into his studies and future goals.
Tim leaves behind his loving mother, Lina; his father, Timothy; his stepmother, Michelle; and an extended family, friends, and community who loved him dearly. His kind spirit and vibrant personality touched countless lives, and he will be forever missed and remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Orlando Police have arrested 17-year-old Jaylen Dwayne Edgar in connection with the shooting. Edgar, who has a prior arrest record, now faces two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.
As police investigated the incident, they received another report of gunfire south of Washington Street on North Orange Avenue.
Officers, nearly 100 of whom were patrolling downtown for Halloween night due to anticipated large crowds, were on-site when the shooting occurred.
In response to the tragedy, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer held a news conference on Friday, where he declared a local state of emergency for the cityโs downtown entertainment district.
Under the new order, a curfew will be enforced from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., and alcohol sales will end at midnight. โWe want a downtown that is fun and vibrant, but weโve experienced lately that brazen criminals are willing to come downtown and shoot and kill innocent victims, right in front of our police officers,โ Dyer stated. He added that recent changes in state concealed weapons laws have made it easier for people to carry firearms, potentially contributing to the increase in gun violence downtown.
The local government hopes these restrictions will restore a sense of safety and reduce the potential for further violent incidents in the heart of Orlandoโs entertainment district.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA โ A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple Universityโs campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple Universityโs Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
โThe loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victimโs family and loved ones.โ
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victimโs last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individualโs involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.