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.
“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 …