A family was grieving on Saturday in Broward County after learning that a young student with a promising future was among the dead during a Halloween street party shooting in downtown Orlando.
Timothy Schmidt Jr., a University of Central Florida freshman from Weston, died early Friday morning after the shooting on Orange Avenue, according to relatives.
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“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 father, Timothy Schmidt told the New York Post. “He brought everyone to tears. He was my mini me and my best friend. We had such a special bond.”
Schmidt, 19, played with the Weston FC, a soccer club, and members remembered him as “a vibrant, smart, fun-loving, young man.” He was also a brother of Alpha Epsilon Pi’s Nu Delta Chapter at UCF.
“He was an extraordinary person, loving son, caring friend, talented soccer player, astounding teammate, kind soul, hardworking student and individual with an extremely warm heart and a witty sense of humor.,” Jacob Egozi, of Fort Lauderdale, wrote on a GoFundMe page that former Weston FC teammates shared.
Weston officials released a statement on Facebook identifying Schmidt as a former Cypress Bay High School student.
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Surveillance video shows Jaylen Edgar, 17, firing a gun also killing Tyrell Hill, 25, and injuring nine others who were at Orlando Regional Medical Center, according to the Orlando Police Department.
“Whatever his mindset was, he was going to shoot no matter what,” Chief Eric Smith said during a news conference about the gunman.
Smith said chaos ensued but police officers quickly arrested the teen after two shootings along Orange Avenue, at Central Boulevard, and near Washington Street.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer issued a 1 to 5 a.m. curfew and ordered alcohol sales to end at midnight.
