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Orlando journalist from Philadelphia identified as victim killed in Florida shooting spree
Spectrum News 13 journalist Dylan Lyons, a Philadelphia native, was identified as a victim killed in a shooting spree in Pine Hills, Florida. FOX 29's Alex Holley has the story.
ORLANDO, Fla. - A Central Florida television reporter who was killed while reporting at a murder scene in Orlando has been identified.
On Thursday, Spectrum News 13 announced that its reporter Dylan Lyons, a Philadelphia native, was shot on Wednesday afternoon at the scene of a shooting in Pine Hills, Florida. Lyons died from his injuries. Jesse Walden – a photographer for News 13 – was also shot and critically injured. In an update on Thursday, FOX 35 was told Walden has been responsive to doctors.
Jesse Walden
Orange County deputies said the 19-year-old suspect, Keith Melvin Moses, also shot a mother and her 9-year-old daughter, T'yonna Major, in their home as well as 38-year-old Nathacha Augustin. The little girl and Augustin died from their injuries. The young girl's mother is in critical condition at the hospital.
Moses has been detained. A motive in the shootings is not known.
According to Spectrum News 13, Lyons is a graduate of the University of Central Florida. He joined the news station in July 2022.
A woman named Casey Lynn, who said she is Lyon's fiancee, tweeted on Thursday: "The love of my life was murdered. I will never be the same person ever again."
A GoFundMe for Lyon's family has been set up and already raised more than $20,000.
"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 news station tweeted on Thursday.
Orange County Sheriff John Mina addressed the media on Wednesday following Moses' arrest.
"I want to acknowledge what a horrible day this has been for our community and our media partners. I work closely with all of you and know many of you and know the very difficult job that you do and also the very important job that you do for our community," Sheriff Mina said.
RELATED: Orlando journalist, girl killed in Pine Hills shootings, Florida deputies say
Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum 13 News, released the following statement:
"We have detained the person believed to be responsible for the murder this morning as well as the shooting this afternoon," Sheriff Mina said. "He is being formally charged in the murder from this morning and we expect additional charges for the shooting of the four people this afternoon."
Video from SKYFOX showed more than a dozen law enforcement vehicles over the neighborhood, as well as an ambulance and a fire truck. FOX 35's Marie Edinger recorded video of an Orange County forensics van showing up to the shooting scene.
Deputies said the crime spree happened around 11 a.m. when Augustin was shot on Hialeah Drive in Pine Hills, and died at the scene. Around 4:05 p.m, deputies received 911 calls reporting two shootings on Hialeah Drive and on nearby Harrington Street.
On Hialeah Drive, the two Spectrum News 13 journalists were shot while in or near their news vehicle, Sheriff Mina said. Both were in the area covering the shooting of the Nathacha Augustin that happened earlier that day. Both were taken to the hospital, where reporter Dylan Lyons died. Jesse Walden is in critical condition.
On nearby Harrington Street, 9-year-old T'yonna Major and her mom were shot inside their home, Sheriff Mina said. T'yonna died and her mom remains in critical condition.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.