More Orlando police officers to be downtown this weekend, chief says
ORLANDO, Fla. - There were nearly 100 Orlando police officers in downtown Orlando on Thursday night and Friday morning, where hundreds of people were expected to celebrate Halloween and the bars and clubs within downtown's entertainment district.
The party ended in a shooting, leaving at least two people dead, eight others hurt, and a 17-year-old suspect in custody.
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said even more officers would be downtown on Saturday, which was already expected to be a busy night following the Halloween festivities.
"In response to last night's shooting, and to prevent retaliations, we are increasing the downtown detail this weekend," Chief Smith said.
Orlando Halloween shooting update | Full speech
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith provide an update on the deadly shooting downtown. Two people are dead and seven others were hurt. A 17-year-old suspect is facing first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder charges. Mayor Dyer declared a local state of emergency, implementing a nightly curfew and limiting alcohol sales at downtown bars and clubs.
"Halloween night itself is busy and then the Saturday after Halloween is always almost just as busy", Chief Smith told reporters during an earlier press conference.
He estimated between 50,000 and 100,000 people were downtown at the time of the shooting.
"Law enforcement is always changing. We are working with the city and the clubs downtown to figure out if there is something else we can go to, to sort of keep it secure down there", he said.
In response to the shooting, a curfew has been implemented between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. for the next week, and bars and clubs will have to stop serving alcohol at midnight.
After a mass shooting downtown in 2022, Orlando officials launched six security checkpoints with metal detectors and K9s. Officials also restricted guns within the entertainment district, which is home to bars, clubs, and restaurants.
After the state legislature passed a law making a constitutional right to carry a concealed weapon.
"It's unfortunate that the changes in the state concealed weapons laws have made it even easier for people to carry guns and to carry guns and bring guns downtown. Honestly, I'm frustrated to have to stand in front of you all and again share the news that we have senselessly lost another life due to gun violence," Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.