ORLANDO, FLA. — A mass shooting in downtown Orlando has left two people dead and six others injured as gunfire erupted amid Halloween festivities. Police Chief Eric Smith confirmed at a news conference early Friday that the incident occurred in two separate locations where large crowds had gathered to celebrate.

A 17-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with the shootings, which unfolded as thousands of revelers filled the streets for the holiday. The injured victims were promptly transported to a local hospital, where they are reported to be in stable condition.

Surveillance footage captured the chaos as shots rang out, showing the crowd scattering in panic. Chief Smith noted that Halloween is one of the busiest nights of the year for the area, with crowd estimates ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 attendees.

In the first incident, the suspect was seen firing before fleeing into the crowd. At a second location, police were able to apprehend him moments after he discharged his weapon, thanks to rapid response from the approximately 100 officers already stationed in the area for the celebrations.

This tragic event has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting ongoing concerns about gun violence in public spaces. Empfric Africa will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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