ORLANDO, Fla. – The 17-year-old suspect in last week’s downtown Orlando Halloween shooting that left two people dead and eight others injured is being charged as an adult, authorities announced Monday.
Jaylen Dwayne Edgar faces two counts of second-degree murder with a firearm and one count of attempted murder with a firearm, according to State Attorney Andrew Bain. The case will be presented to a grand jury, which may consider elevating the charges to first-degree murder. Additional charges are expected as the investigation progresses.
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“This decision was not made lightly,” Bain stated, noting his thorough review of all available records and video evidence. “There is no question this individual should be charged as an adult.”
WATCH:
The incident occurred as an estimated 75,000 people gathered in downtown Orlando to celebrate Halloween. Early Friday morning, gunfire erupted, killing two and wounding seven others, with an additional person injured while trying to escape. The victims ranged in age from 19 to 39, according to Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith.
Police identified Edgar as the shooter immediately following the incident and quickly took him into custody. Prosecutors are now working with Orlando police and are encouraging the public to submit any photos or videos from that night to aid the investigation.
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“To shoot into a massive crowd like that shows a total disregard for life,” Bain said. “Charging the defendant as an adult is the only appropriate response given the egregious nature of the crime.”
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