A large fight that broke out early on Sunday morning in downtown Orlando resulted in the shooting of seven people; this is the most recent in a string of violent incidents that have plagued the area for the past year, according to Orlando police. The suspect is still at large, police say.
Immediately after 2 a.m., when the area’s bars and clubs were closing, a shooting occurred near Wall Street Plaza and Orange Avenue in the neighborhood of Sunday
According to Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith, six victims were taken by ambulance to Orlando Regional Medical Center, and a seventh person traveled independently to AdventHealth. However, he claimed that all seven victims were in stable condition.
“At approximately 2:22 this morning, at Orange Avenue and Wall Street, a large fight broke out,” Smith said at a briefing. “One of the combatants pulled out a hand gun and fired into the crowd.”
A live video from the scene, which shows late-night revelers running for their lives and ducking for cover, can be heard with the sound of gunfire.
Still no suspects detained
“We don’t have a suspect at this time,” Smith said. “We’re still in the preliminary part of this investigation, so if anyone has any information please call us at 911 or get with Crimeline [1-800-423-TIPS].“
According to Smith, OPD is collaborating with nearby businesses to recover any videos of the incident.
Over the past year, there have been numerous reports of violence in and around Orlando’s downtown bar district. As a result of the rise in violence, city officials in Orlando have announced plans to control the city’s nightlife. The proposals demand increased music volume, security in private parking lots, and new permits for establishments that remain open past midnight.
The plans were approved by the Orlando City Council on July 18 in an effort to control the downtown nightlife scene, which features more than 100 bars and nightclubs and attracts more than 15,000 patrons on weekends.
