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 victims’ 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 father’s 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 man—an 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 city’s 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. “We want a downtown that is fun and vibrant, but we’ve experienced lately that brazen criminals are willing to come downtown and shoot and kill innocent victims, right in front of our police officers,” 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 Orlando’s entertainment district.
Crime
Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A security guard has been arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting at a Center City IHOP over the weekend that left a 43-year-old man dead.
The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday at the IHOP located in the 1300 block of Walnut Street, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
When officers arrived, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim, who police say was unhoused, was transported to Jefferson Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Investigators report that the victim had been causing a disturbance inside the restaurant prior to the shooting. As security personnel escorted him outside, he allegedly turned and spat on one of the guards.
That guard, identified as 38-year-old Yahaira Melendez, allegedly responded by drawing her firearm and shooting the victim once in the head.
Police say preliminary findings indicate the victim was not armed at the time of the incident.
Melendez, a mother of three, was taken into custody and has been charged with murder and related offenses.
In a statement Melendez’s family expressed shock and disbelief over the situation, writing in part:
“We are shocked and devastated by the tragic events that occurred at the IHOP while she was working security. We know she would never harm anyone unless she felt she had no other choice to protect herself or others.”
The shooting has left nearby workers and residents shaken.
“Escalation — where was the escalation?” asked Karr Anderson, who works next door to the restaurant. “Security guards need to know how to withhold, how to show restraint.”
Philadelphia Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether proper security protocols were followed and what led to the use of deadly force.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased pending family notification.