Orlando Shooting, Six People Shot, One Killed, Suspect Arrested

by Sudha Krishna | November 6, 2009 at 09:45 am

2127 views | 58 Recommendations | 12 comments

The mayor of Orlando, Buddy Dyer, has confirmed the suspect in an Orlando shooting spree, Jason Rodriguez has been caught.

Initially it was unclear how many shooting victims there were but now police confirm there were six shootingvictims and that one of those was killed.

The suspect, 40 year old Jason Rodriguez, was driving a 2002 Silver Nissan SUV with license number D11 9UX wearing a light blue polo shirt was armed and on the loose all morning. Rodriguez is a former worker of Reynolds, Smith and Hill in the Gateway Center building.

The Gateway Center is a 16 story office building at 1000 Legion Place in Orlando.

An official from Reynolds, Smith and Hills told CNN that Rodriguez was a transportation engineer and was let go in June 2007 for performance issues. He confirmed that the existing employees were evacuated and but there were employees who were injured in the shooting.

The local NBC affiliate says rescue crews were called to the 16 story Gateway Center at around 11:30 a.m.

The building and the immediate area were evacuated, the I-4 highway was temporarily closed as the area was secured. The search for the Rodriguez by the Orlando SWAT was conducted and they caught Rodriguez at his apartment, after apparently being tipped off by Rodriguez's mother. Rodriguez surrendered without incident and can be seen being lead away in a picture captured by a News helicopter.

Central Florida News footage shows Rodriguez being led into the custody with a reporter shouting the question "Why did You Do It? Rodriguez's answer, "They left me to rot."

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Blue Crush

flagged this story as Breaking

at 09:50 on November 6th, 2009

sudhak, thanks for getting this story out so quickly. It will now show up on the home page for four hours. If new developments justify it, I'll renew this flag for another cycle.

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Blue Crush

at 09:55 on November 6th, 2009

Some sources are reporting that it was a former employee.

Mritunjay

at 09:58 on November 6th, 2009

One person was killed and at least seven others were wounded in a shooting incident inside a downtown Orlando high-rise building Friday morning, authorities said. Quoting emergency dispatchers, NBC station WESH-TV of Orlando reported that the incident began about 11:30 a.m. ET on the fourth floor of the Gateway Center at 1000 Legion Place near Lake Ivanhoe.
All patients were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center. At least four of the eight patients were reported to be seriously wounded.
The Orlando Fire Department said no suspects had not been taken into custody, but it told NBC News said the situation was under control. It was not immediately clear whether that meant the shooter was among dead or wounded.

Mritunjay

at 10:00 on November 6th, 2009

BBC Reports:

At least one person has been killed and seven others injured in a shooting at an office building in Orlando, officials say.

The shooting took place on the fourth floor of the Gateway Center building at around 1130 local time (1630 GMT).

Dozens of ambulances, police cars and fire engines are reportedly on scene.

ABC News says FBI agents have also been despatched.

J2B (not verified)

at 10:40 on November 6th, 2009

Orlando shooting: Jason Rodriguez (40) is named as the suspect. It poss he may have escaped from the building, may be in a 2002 Silver Nissan SUV: "D11 9UX"He is a laid-off worker of an engineering co. on the 8th floor of the Gateway Center were the shootings occurred.Live video:www.clickorlando.com/video/19046963/index.html

Amy Judd

at 10:43 on November 6th, 2009

There are a number of businesses located at this address

Sudha Krishna

at 10:50 on November 6th, 2009

Thanks for adding to this story...An official spokesperson told CNN that Rodriguez was a former employee of Smith and Reynolds, now called Reynolds, Smith and Hill

J2B (not verified)

at 10:57 on November 6th, 2009

Orlando cops are saying 6 victims shot but won't say how many dead.

j2B (not verified)

at 11:11 on November 6th, 2009

the suspect Jason Rodriguez has serious money problems. Personal bankrupt in May, debts about $89,000. Maybe drove him over the edge!

J2B (not verified)

at 11:26 on November 6th, 2009

Orlando, Mayor of :-6 victims; the gunman has been arrested at his mother's home. 5 victims shot, 1 dead!

Iffy (not verified)

at 12:33 on November 6th, 2009

Another selfish person who can't take are of their own crap. First it was a muslim guy who, despite being well-educated, lacked the ability to campaign positively to end the war, and now a bankrupt who couldn't manage his money. Weak people.