Police: 8 shot, 2 dead during Halloween celebrations in downtown Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — Police in Orlando are investigating a mass shooting in downtown Orlando.

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5 a.m. update:

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith confirmed Friday morning that eight people were shot during Halloween celebrations in downtown Orlando.

Smith said two victims died, and six others were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Police said a 17-year-old, Jaylen Edgar was taken into custody after the shooting.

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“Halloween is one of our busiest nights of the year,” Chief Smith said.

Smith said around 100 officers were working in the area.

The shooting happened around 1:07 a.m. in the area of Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue.

Police: 8 shot, 2 fatally, in downtown Orlando Orlando police said a teen was taken into custody following the mass shooting early Friday. (WFTV)

The shooting happened as hundreds of people were in the area.

Police said the gunman ran off after the shooting, and another shooting happened near Washington Street and Orange Avenue.

4:15 a.m. update:

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said he plans to give an update on the shooting at 4:45 a.m.

WFTV will have a crew at the news conference and provide live coverage on Eyewitness News this Morning.

Original report:

OPD announced shortly after 2 a.m. Friday on social media that officers were “gathering information and interviewing witnesses.”

The department released few other details.

According to the City of Orlando’s Active Calls for Service website, police were dispatched to a shooting shortly after 1 a.m. in the area of East Central Boulevard and North Orange Avenue.

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U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost posted on social media shortly after 2:30 a.m. about “reports of a shooting with multiple people hit.”

To date, the Orlando Police Department has not confirmed those reports.

Channel 9′s Q McCray is in downtown Orlando working to gather the latest details on the shooting.

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Orlando shooting investigation Orlando police said officers responded to Downtown Orlando early Friday after reports of a shooting. (WFTV staff)

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McCray reported several street closures and heavy police activity in the area of Orange Avenue and Washington Street.

Monitor WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News beginning at 4:30 a.m. for updates on this breaking story.

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