A Florida Spectrum News reporter and a girl were fatally shot Wednesday afternoon near the scene of another fatal shooting that occurred the same day, authorities said.
Orange County Sheriff John Mina said during a news conference that they had arrested 19-year-old Keith Melvin Moses, who they believe was responsible for both shootings in the Orlando-area neighborhood.
In addition to Spectrum News 13 journalist Dylan Lyons, 24, and the 9-year-old girl, a member of the television crew, Jesse Walden, and the girl’s mother were injured during the second shooting. Both are in critical condition at a local hospital.
In response to the shooting, Spectrum News released the following statement Wednesday night:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and the other lives senselessly lost today. Our thoughts are with our employee’s family, friends and co-workers during this most difficult time. We are hopeful that our other colleague who was injured make a full recovery.
This is a terrible tragedy for the Orlando community.”
The station where the dead journalist worked posted a message on social networks with reference to a note about his life.
“A dedicated and motivated reporter, Dylan was shot and killed while working at the scene of a homicide. Spectrum News remembers our fallen colleague,” the message read.
A dedicated and motivated reporter, Dylan was shot and killed while working at the scene of a homicide. Spectrum News remembers our fallen colleague. https://t.co/264x3y8Lup
— Spectrum News 13 (@MyNews13) February 23, 2023
Sherrif Mina, for his part, said: “I want to acknowledge how horrible this day has been for our community and our partners in the media.”
“I work closely with all of you and I know a lot of you and I know the hard work you do and also the very important work you do for our community and for law enforcement. No one in our community – not a mother, not a girl 9-year-old and certainly not media professionals either – should be a victim of gun violence in our community,” added Mina.
Mina said they do not immediately have a motive for either shooting.
“So the suspect is not saying much right now,” Mina said. “It’s not clear if he knew it was the media or not. We’re still trying to figure all that out.”
Mina said the News 13 vehicle did not look like a typical news van with TV network branding.
Officers had initially gone to the Pine Hills area, northwest of Orlando, on Wednesday morning after receiving reports that a woman in her 20s had been fatally shot.
Moses “was an acquaintance of the woman this morning, but as far as we know, he had no relationship with reporters or with the mother and 9-year-old child,” Mina said.
“This is 19-year-old Keith Melvin Moses, a suspect in a series of shootings today that left three dead, now in OCSO custody. This is a sad day for our community. Three were killed today, including a woman of about 20 years old, a 9-year-old girl and a @MyNews13 employee,” the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post.
This is 19-year-old Keith Melvin Moses, the suspect in a series of shootings today that left three dead, in OCSO custody. This is a sad day for our community. Three were murdered today, including a woman in her 20s, a 9-year-old girl and a @MyNews13 employee. pic.twitter.com/DXXkxzRHl5
— Orange County Sheriff’s Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) February 23, 2023
According to witnesses, a man approached the journalists’ vehicle later on Wednesday and opened fire, hitting the two reporters. The man then went to a nearby house and shot the mother and daughter.
WFTV crews, who were also reporting on the morning’s shooting, tried to provide medical assistance to the Spectrum 13 journalists.
Mina stated that Moses is already facing a murder charge for the first victim and that charges are expected to be filed for the other four victims soon. Moses’ criminal history includes firearms charges, as well as aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and grand theft offenses, the sheriff said.
“Our hearts go out to the family of the journalist killed today and the injured team member in Orange County, Florida, as well as the entire Spectrum News team,” White House press secretary Karine Jean said on Twitter. -Pierre.
“Please, please, pray tonight for our co-worker who is in critical condition. And by the way, please, pray for all the victims of gun violence in this country,” Celeste Springer said. Spectrum 13 journalist, during his live report.
