Orlando Halloween Shooting Leaves Six Injured, Two Dead
Orlando’s vibrant Halloween celebrations turned tragic early Friday when a 17-year-old gunman opened fire on a crowd in downtown, injuring six and killing two. One of the survivors, 20-year-old Anthony Berry, shared his harrowing experience at a news conference at Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center.
Anthony Berry’s Close Call: “Thank God I’m Still Here”
Berry recounted how he had gone out with friends to celebrate Halloween, a rare break from his usual routine of studying as he prepares for a career in nursing.
“I’m usually studying and things like that but it’s Halloween, let’s go out, have fun,” Berry said. However, the night took a dark turn when someone in the crowd became aggressive. “Then I saw him push my friend,” Berry recalled. “Immediately, everything happened quickly right after that.”
The Moment of the Shooting
Berry described seeing the aggressor make a hand motion, prompting him to duck just as gunfire erupted. “Boom. I just saw a white flash,” he said, adding that he soon realized he was bleeding heavily from a head wound. Despite the chaos, Berry managed to cover the wound with his shirt and follow the crowd to safety before making his way to the Orlando Fire Department, where he was transferred to the hospital.
Doctor Joseph Ibrahim emphasized the severity of Berry’s injury, noting that a mere centimeter or two difference could have had fatal consequences. Berry, now sporting stitches across his head, expressed deep gratitude: “After it happened, the first thing I did was thank God I’m still here. I have another opportunity to achieve my goals in life.”
Arrest and Investigation
The suspect, identified as 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. Surveillance footage released by Orlando police showed Edgar in a yellow shirt moving through the crowd before raising his right hand and opening fire. Officers quickly subdued him, with Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith commending their swift action. “The officers did a great job. They responded right when they heard the shooting,” Smith said.
A Night of Chaos in Orlando
Halloween in Orlando typically draws crowds between 50,000 to 100,000 people. With approximately 100 officers on patrol that night, the rapid response likely prevented further tragedy. Edgar, who had a prior grand theft charge in 2023, may be charged as an adult as the investigation continues, according to Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear as the community grapples with the aftermath of a night meant for celebration that ended in heartbreak.
