In a tragic incident early Friday, two men were killed in a mass shooting in downtown Orlando, identified as Timothy Schmidt Jr. , 19, a UCF freshman, and Tyrek Hill, 25. The shooting took place around 1 a. m. during a Halloween celebration that attracted thousands of attendees, amplifying the chaos that ensued.

A GoFundMe campaign for Schmidt raised over $37,000, demonstrating the community’s support for his grieving family. Along with the two fatalities, nine people were shot, and seven others sustained injuries, with some in critical condition. Authorities apprehended 17-year-old Jaylen Edgar at the scene, who faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder. The police reported that the violence erupted at Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue, leading to further panic as shots rang out in the area. The tragedy has sparked discussions about public safety and gun violence during large gatherings.

As the community mourns, many are calling for heightened measures to prevent such incidents in the future.