The 17-year-old suspect, Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, accused of a deadly Halloween shooting in downtown Orlando, did not attend his scheduled court appearance on Saturday morning.
Instead, his mother attended on his behalf, confirming his identity in an emotional appearance, according to Fox 35 Orlando.
The court did not clarify why Edgar himself was absent, but the judge asked his mother to “speak into the microphone” and “collect herself.”
Edgar faces adult charges due to the severity of the case.
He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and six counts of attempted first-degree murder after allegedly killing two men and injuring eight others.
He remains in juvenile custody.
One of the victims, Timothy Schmidt Jr., a 19-year-old freshman at the University of Central Florida and a soccer player for USL League Two team Weston FC, was enjoying Halloween with friends when he was fatally shot.
Another victim, 25-year-old Tyrek Hill, was also pronounced dead after the Friday night attack.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as emergency personnel attended to victims while Halloween revelers, still in costume, remained in the area.
A 26-year-old woman was hospitalized after being trampled in the panic that followed the shooting.
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith confirmed that Edgar was identified as the shooter and taken into custody.
Footage released by police shows Edgar allegedly opening fire on the crowd and officers tackling him to the ground.
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Na wa o
Such a senseless shooting. Just why