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
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Motherโs Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO โ A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicagoโs Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnsonโs boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the motherโs boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.