Tragedy in Orlando: 3 Killed, 2 Injured in Series of Shootings

On Wednesday, Orlando, Florida was rocked by a series of shootings that resulted in the deaths of three people and the injury of two others. Among those killed was a 24-year-old local TV reporter, Dylan Lyons, and a 9-year-old girl.^[0] Photojournalist Jesse Walden was critically wounded.^[1] The suspect, Keith Melvin Moses, 19, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Nathacha Augustin, 36.^[2]

The shootings began around 11 a.m. on Hialeah Street, where Augustin was found shot dead. Walden and Lyons, who worked for Spectrum News 13, were then shot. Walden described the incident in a statement: “I see that he’s shooting at me. I was assuming he was shooting at a house or something behind me and I just happened to catch a bullet. But he kept shooting at me. And so I ducked behind the wheel of my car. And he walked forward and shot into my car ended up striking my reporter, Dylan Lyons and killing him.”^[3]

Mina stated that Moses allegedly went to a residence close by and fired at a mother and her 9-year-old daughter, with the child passing away.^[4] Upon the deputies' discovery of Moses, the sheriff said, “He was in possession of a handgun which we believe will tie him to these cases.”^[1]

Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum 13 News, released a statement condemning the shootings.^[5] It read in part: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and the other lives senselessly taken today. Our thoughts are with our employee's family, friends and co-workers during this very difficult time. We remain hopeful that our other colleague who was injured makes a full recovery. This is a terrible tragedy for the Orlando community.”^[6]

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House Press Secretary, expressed her condolences via Twitter, expressing that she and everyone else's hearts go out to the family of the journalist who was killed today and the crew member who was injured in Orange County, Florida, as well as the entire Spectrum News team.^[7]

Moses had a lengthy criminal history including charges of aggravated battery, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and grand theft.^[8]

0. “Spectrum News reporter, 9-year-old shot, killed in Orlando” News 13 Orlando, 22 Feb. 2023, https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2023/02/22/police–shots-fired-near-scene-of-pine-hills-murder-investigation

1. “Gunman Kills 3, Including Reporter and Child Near Orlando” The Cut, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.thecut.com/2023/02/orlando-shooting-9-year-old-reporter.html

2. “‘He kept shooting at me,’ photographer wounded in Florida shooting says” NBC News, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/-kept-shooting-photographer-wounded-florida-shooting-says-rcna72120

3. “Television news photographer Jesse Walden describes terrifying moments when gunman opened fire” WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.wptv.com/news/state/television-photographer-jesse-walden-describes-terrifying-moments-when-gunman-opened-fire

4. “Spectrum News 13 reporter, 24, killed in Orlando shooting identified by family as Dylan Lyons” Yahoo! Voices, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/now/spectrum-news-13-reporter-24-102518422.html

5. “Former TV20 News anchor, reporter Dylan Lyons shot while covering homicide in Orlando” WCJB, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.wcjb.com/2023/02/23/former-tv20-news-anchor-reporter-dylan-lyons-shot-while-covering-homicide-orlando/

6. “Reporter, 9-year-old girl killed in Orlando shooting spree: What we know” WESH 2 Orlando, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.wesh.com/article/orlando-spectrum-reporter-killed/43042862

7. “Orlando TV news journalist, 9-year-old girl killed in shootings near earlier homicide scene” Orlando Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-ne-hialeah-street-homicide-pine-hills-20230222-s3piy43nnbc4jgsx2u7qso3k44-story.html

8. “Body camera footage shows suspect taken into custody after deadly shooting of Florida news reporter, child” WPBF West Palm Beach, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-orlando-reporter-shooting-moses-custody-bodycam/43048618