Latest news with #OrlandoPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Families of men killed in Halloween shooting to sue City of Orlando, OPD
On Oct. 31, Tyrek Hill was preparing to discuss with his mother the possibility of buying a truck to start his own towing company. Timothy Schmidt Jr. was showing a friend around Orlando, where Hill was a student at the University of Central Florida. That night, both men decided to hit downtown for its annual Halloween block party. Neither made it out alive after being gunned down by 17-year-old Jaylen Edgar, who inexplicably was carrying a weapon as he strolled among the partygoers. Now, the families of both men are suing, accusing the city and the Orlando Police Department of wrongful death by failing to provide adequate security. On Tuesday, two of their parents — Timothy Schmidt Sr. and Teresa Clinton, Hill's mother — met in person for the first time to announce the lawsuit, joined by attorneys Michael Haggard and Douglas McCarron. 'We're in an awful club that you don't want to be in,' Schmidt Sr. said. Hill added, 'Our sons left here somewhat the same. … We're trauma-bonded.' Several businesses that make up the city's Entertainment District are also set to be named in the lawsuit, but the attorneys declined to name them. Haggard said the city and OPD have been notified of the coming lawsuit, which is expected to be filed later this month. This month also marks the ninth anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, which resulted in the deaths of 49 people before the shooter was killed by law enforcement. 'Everybody in the community should be asking: has anything changed?' Haggard said. 'Has anything changed in society? Has anything changed in how businesses deal with this, the government deals with this, or anything along those lines?' About 75,000 people were partying downtown Halloween night when gunfire erupted on two separate occasions. The first happened on the corner of North Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard, where city surveillance video showed Edgar shot Hill in the head from close range while walking past him. He then shot Schmidt Jr. shortly after, striking him in the heart in front of Sly Fox Bar following an altercation in which Schmidt Jr. wasn't involved. Edgar, who turns 18 in September, was arrested as he tried to flee amid a panicked, scattering crowd. He was charged as an adult on two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted murder, with his next court appearance expected to take place Aug. 25. While a City of Orlando spokesperson declined to comment on the pending litigation, officials at the time of the shooting pointed to a state law allowing gun owners to carry in public places without a permit. They said that prevented the city from conducting its own weapons checks in the downtown area, as it had previously. Still, Haggard said, city authorities should have been prepared for that. In 2024 there were about 500 mass shootings throughout the U.S. including 32 in Florida, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which tracks shootings nationwide. This year, six of the 133 mass shootings so far were in the state. 'Our laws in the State of Florida are awful regarding gun safety, there's no question about that,' Haggard said. 'But the City of Orlando knows that, the police department knows that, the entertainment district knows that. … So businesses have to step up in the environment they're in.' As for the families, they intend to carry on their sons' legacies. Since the shooting, Schmidt Sr. founded a nonprofit seeking to help others in similar situations. Clinton, Hill's mother, seeks to do the same. While they both seek justice for their children's deaths, Schmidt Sr. and Hill say they share a common aim: reform. 'We can point the blame at anybody, but who will step up and make a change?' Hill said. 'Let's make a difference. It doesn't have to just be us, it can be all — or is it just another person dead in the streets and another suspect in jail?'
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Families to announce lawsuit after deadly Halloween shooting in downtown Orlando
The Brief The families of two men killed in a 2024 Halloween shooting in downtown Orlando are expected to file a lawsuit against the city, police, and event organizers for alleged negligence. The shooting left 10 victims—two dead, seven shot, and one trampled—amid a crowd of up to 100,000 people. Suspect Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, 17, remains in jail and faces murder charges. ORLANDO, Fla. - The families of two men killed when a teenage gunman opened fire on crowds celebrating Halloween in downtown Orlando last year are seeking to file a lawsuit. The parents of 19-year-old Timothy Schmidt Jr. and 25-year-old Tyrek Hill are scheduled to hold a joint news conference with attorneys Michael Haggard and Douglas McCarron – who represent victims of gun violence – at 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday. It will mark the first public statement by Schmidt's parents since their son's death. WATCH LIVE: FOX 35 News will stream the news conference in the video player at the top of this page. Dig deeper They plan to file a lawsuit against the City of Orlando, the Orlando Police Department, and several businesses and event organizers involved in the 2024 Halloween celebrations. The families allege negligence in crowd control, security planning, and overall public safety during one of the city's largest annual events. They are seeking justice, accountability and systemic change to prevent similar tragedies in the future. RELATED | Remembering the victims in the downtown Orlando shooting The backstory Shortly after 1 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2024, a shooting occurred near Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard, sending people running and yelling throughout downtown Orlando. Minutes later, the alleged suspect opened fire near Orange Avenue and Washington Street, feet from a group of Orlando police officers and people milling around downtown. Within moments, the suspect is tackled to the ground and detained. Surveillance video and bodycamera video show the moment the suspect fired his gun, and the moment he was tackled by authorities. The Orlando Police Department said between 50,000 and 100,000 people were downtown at the time of the shooting. Nearly 100 officers were already downtown in anticipation of the busy holiday weekend. The shooting resulted in 10 victims: two were killed, seven others were injured by gunfire, and one was trampled. The victims ranged in age between 18 and 39. What we know Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, 17, has remained in the Orange County Jail since the shooting on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Police said Edgar was armed with a handgun, though it wasn't clear how he came into possession of the weapon. He did not appear to visit any bars, clubs, or businesses downtown. A motive in the shooting is not known. He has a status hearing scheduled for August 25 at 9 a.m., Orange County court records show. He will be tried as an adult. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the attorneys representing the parents of Tyrek Hill and Timothy Schmidt Jr on June 3, 2025. Additional details regarding the shooting was previously shared by the Orlando Police Department.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Person shot in Orlando on Willie Mays Parkway, police say
The Brief A person is undergoing surgery after being shot along Willie Mays Parkway in Orlando overnight. A suspect has not been taken into custody. No further details were immediately released. ORLANDO, Fla. - One person was rushed to a local hospital after being shot overnight in Orlando, authorities said. What we know The shooting happened around midnight in the 2800 block of Willie Mays Parkway. Here is a map for a better idea of where the shooting occurred: The person injured is undergoing surgery. The Orlando Police Department does not have a suspect in custody. What we don't know Additional details — including the identity of the person who was shot, the extent of their injuries, the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and any information about the suspect(s) — have not yet been released. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Orlando Police Department on June 3, 2025.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Orlando parking meter scam: 200 fake QR codes found downtown
The Brief Scammers are placing fake QR code stickers on Orlando parking meters to steal financial data. Authorities are urging drivers to inspect meters and use official apps or websites for payment. Police are investigating and removing fraudulent codes while warning the public to stay alert. ORLANDO, Fla. - Scammers are targeting parking meters in downtown Orlando by placing fraudulent QR code stickers over legitimate ones, police said Sunday. What we know Scammers in downtown Orlando are placing fake QR code stickers on parking meters, redirecting users to fraudulent websites. Once victims scan the QR codes and input personal and financial information, that data is compromised. The scheme has been discovered at several locations, including on Orange Avenue, prompting a warning from the Orlando Police Department. What we don't know Authorities have not confirmed how many meters have been affected or how long the scam has been operating. It's also unclear whether any suspects have been identified or if any arrests have been made. Officials have not specified the total number of victims or the financial impact to date. The backstory QR code scams have become more common in recent years, as touchless payment options have grown. In this case, ParkMobile, a widely used digital parking app, is being spoofed. Scammers are exploiting public trust in digital payments by placing lookalike stickers on city parking meters. Big picture view This scam highlights broader concerns about digital payment security and the vulnerabilities associated with QR codes in public spaces. Local officials are working to remove fraudulent stickers and alert the public, while urging extra vigilance with any digital transaction involving financial data. What they're saying The scheme tricks drivers into scanning a fake code that redirects them to a bogus website, where victims unknowingly enter personal and financial information. Once submitted, scammers can access sensitive data, according to the Orlando Police Department. "It's important that our users are always vigilant regarding financial information, and this includes using any digital parking provider to pay for parking," ParkMobile said in a statement to FOX 35. "If users have concerns or something doesn't look right, do not use the QR code and go directly into the ParkMobile app and enter the zone number, or contact ParkMobile or the other payment providers directly." What you can do To avoid falling victim, authorities recommend checking meters closely for signs of tampering and using trusted methods — such as the official app or website — to pay for parking. Suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the Orlando Police Department. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Orlando Police Department and ParkMobile.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Orlando postal worker gets 5+ years in prison for fentanyl conspiracy
A U.S. Postal Service worker in Orlando was sentenced to more than 5 years in prison Wednesday for distributing fentanyl disguised as pharmaceutical pills and using drug money to buy multiple sports cars. Orlando Rosa Rodriguez, 59, was given the sentence of five years and 10 months on charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and money laundering, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. The DOJ said two of Rodriguez's co-defendants, Jayson Perez-Quinones of Orlando and Jovan Rivera Rodriguez of Kissimmee, arranged to receive shipments of thousands of fenta-pills — pills containing fentanyl made to look like normal pharmaceuticals. Perez-Quinones and Karen AltaGracia Perez, another co-defendent, would package those pills into individual bags for street delivery and give them to mid-level distributors like Rosa Rodriguez for resale, the DOJ said. The release shows Rosa Rodriguez distributed the pills to customers, including in the parking area of the U.S. Postal Service office where he worked. He even distributed the pills to one of his coworkers, who overdosed, according to his signed plea agreement. Perez-Quinones became concerned the coworker may 'snitch' about their activities to law enforcement. 'You can't give to…to people like that,' Perez-Quinones told Rosa Rodriguez, according to the DOJ. '…Because if you give him one…and something happens to him, they'll rat you out, man.' Rosa Rodriguez earned more than $300,000 in one 20-month period on top of his salary from the U.S. Postal Service and VA disability benefits. He used those proceeds to purchase sports cars, including a Corvette worth approximately $80,000, a Porsche 911 Carrera Coup worth approximately $92,000, and a Porsche 718 Cayman Coup worth approximately $120,000, according to the release. The investigation into the conspiracy was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Internal Revenue Service with assistance from the Orlando Police Department. Law enforcement monitored the cellphones and surveilled the activities of several people involved, according to the plea agreement, some of whom referred to the pills as 'dollars' or 'bucks.' The Orlando Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Rosa Rodriguez after he met with Perez at her residence. Officers found 119 pills that were tested and found to contain 12 grams of a substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. Rosa Rodriguez then arranged on the phone with Perez-Quinones to go to his home and have Perez give him 100 pills, according to court records. AltaGracia Perez was sentenced to five years and six months in federal prison for her role in the conspiracy in 2023. Perez-Quinones was given 15 years in prison and Rivera Rodriguez was given 5 years, the release said. Rosa Rodriguez's plea deal said the parties involved made an agreement that every 10 pills that were distributed contained at least one gram of a substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.
