Two shooting incidents in the Orlando neighborhood of Pine Hills have left three people dead and two more critically injured. The tragedies occurred just hours apart, and have left the community in shock.
The first shooting occurred on Wednesday morning, when a woman in her 20s was dicovered shot to death in her car.
Later in the afternoon, two Spectrum News 13 employees, a video journalist and a news reporter, were sitting in their car and reporting on the earlier murder when they were ambushed by a gunman who fired at them.
Afterwards, the shooter walked to a nearby home one block away from the news car. He opened fire on a mother and her 9-year-old daughter.
All four victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, but the child and one of the journalists did not survive. The two remaining victims are still in critical condition.
The victims’ identities have not been publically released, and authorities have not confirmed whether it was the reporter or the video journalist who died.
The alleged shooter, 19-year-old Keith Melvin Moses, was detained at the scene.
According to Orange County Sheriff John Mina, the suspect had a “lengthy criminal history” that included charges for gun possession, aggravated assault, burglary, and grand theft.
He was possessed a handgun at the time of his arrest. Mina said that the gun would likely connect him to the shootings.
Authorities have not established a motive for the attacks and it is unclear whether Moses has any connection to the victims.
The sheriff confirmed that the series of deadly shootings were connected, and that Moses is solely responsible for the incidents. He has been formally charged in the shooting from Wednesday morning and is expected to be charged in the second shooting as well.
The tragic shootings have left the community reeling and law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the incidents.
The police are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in their investigations.