ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando police are investigating multiple shootings that happened on Halloween night in the downtown area.
According to police, seven people were injured by gunfire in two separate shootings during a violent night of Halloween celebrations.
On Monday, Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon discussed the shootings and asked the public for any help they can provide in tracking down suspects.
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Police said the first shooting happened around 10:30 p.m. Sunday night near the intersection of East Robinson Street and North Eola Drive and the other around 1:30 a.m. Monday near the corner of Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard.
Three people were shot during the first incident, with the youngest victim being 13 years old, Rolon said.
All three victims received non-life-threatening injuries.
Read: 16-year-old shot during violent night of Halloween celebrations, police say
“The one immediately in the downtown area, 16, the other incident that happened by Lake Eola, one of the victims was just 13 years old,” Rolon said.
According to Rolon, one of the victims in the second shooting incident was 16 years old.
Rolon said that the 16-year-old victim was fighting with another individual on social media and the two ran into each other on the street.
Read: At least 7 injured in 2 separate shootings in downtown Orlando
“We know that four individuals were hit. We know the intended target was a 16-year-old,” Rolon said.
According to police, someone associated with the other individual pulled out a gun and started firing.
The 16-year-old and three other bystanders were struck by bullets and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
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Rolon said the number of officers on patrol was increased heading into the weekend’s anticipated crowds and in fact, Rolon said officers were within 20 yards when the gunfire rang out.
“You can have an officer just about in every corner in every step and there’s always a potential for something to occur,” Rolon said.
No officers were injured during these incidents.
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Rolon also pointed out that the violence came from outside, not inside the bars, which he believes indicates more people are going out just to hang out. He said he’s working on a way to better control that growing dynamic.
“There is a small percentage of individuals that capitalize on opportunities and I believe this is what happened last night,” Rolon said.
According to police, they are working on leads on both shootings and ask anyone with information to call OPD.
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