Teen accused in Orlando Halloween shooting has teary-eyed mother show up to first court appearance on his behalf
The teen gunman who allegedly opened fire during a Halloween celebration in Orlando on Friday failed to show up to his first Florida court appearance and instead had his teary-eyed mother face the judge.
The mother of Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, 17, stood beside a public defender in the juvenile courtroom Saturday morning without her son after he allegedly killed two and injured six in downtown Orlando.
Edgar waived his right to appear in court, according to Fox 35 Orlando.
It’s unknown why the teen did not appear in court.
His mother, crying as she stood in front of the judge, spoke only to confirm her son’s identity.
“Could you speak into the microphone?” the judge asked the emotional mother. “Just take a moment, collect yourself.”
She said nothing further on his behalf before exiting the court.
The judge informed the court that the teen would remain in secure detention until his next hearing.
Attorney Albert Yonfa told the outlet that the 17-year-old suspect is expected to be charged as an adult.
“The State Attorney has the right to directly file this individual as an adult even though he’s 17 years old because of the heinousness of the crime he’s being accused of,” he said.
Edgar has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and six counts of attempted first-degree murder.
A motive has not yet been announced.
Gunfire was first reported at 1:07 a.m. Friday in downtown Orlando, sending thousands rushing for cover.
Only three minutes later, officers heard additional gunshots a block away.
Video released by the Orlando Police Department Friday allegedly shows Edgar walking through the crowd in a yellow shirt and backpack before he starts shooting, sending costumed revelers running for their lives.
The teen allegedly attempted to flee after the second shooting, but a police officer who saw him pull the trigger immediately tackled him to the ground by himself before three other cops pounced on him.
“It was the most scared I’ve ever been,” Joey Herrera, 22, who was at the celebration with his girlfriend and some other pals, told The Post Saturday.
“I was afraid that I was going to be killed, and I didn’t want to die in that way.”
College soccer star Timothy Schmidt Jr., a 19-year-old student at the University of Central Florida, was identified as one of the victims.
His heartbroken father, Timothy Schmidt Sr., told The Post Saturday that his son, a talented soccer player, was “one of a kind” whom he had raised primarily as a single dad since he was 9 years old.
“One month before I dropped him off for his summer session at UCF, he was the best man in my wedding and gave the best speech ever,” his dad said.
“He brought everyone to tears. He was my mini me and my best friend. We had such a special bond.”
Schmidt Jr. and another man, Tyrek Hill, 25, were eventually pronounced dead at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
Eight others, ranging in age from 19 to 39, were rushed to the hospital after the incident with varying degrees of injuries, according to the Orlando Police Department.
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith estimated that between 50,000 and 100,000 people were downtown on Friday night.
“Whatever his mindset was, he was gonna shoot no matter what,” Smith said Friday.
“He walked by multiple officers, we followed where he came. He knew what he was gonna do, what he thought his mind was going to do.”
