BELLE ISLE, Fla. — A Belle Isle police officer stumbled upon a double homicide scene early Wednesday in the parking lot of Cornerstone Charter Academy, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.
“This is part of our community and everything. So it's definitely scary,” said neighbor Chastity Olmeda.
The officer was on patrol at about 4:40 a.m. when he noticed a car in the school’s parking lot and went to investigate, OCSO spokeswoman Rose Silva said.
"It's four in the morning, it's dark, there's a vehicle in the middle of a parking lot, not necessarily in a parking space," Silva said.
Inside the car, the officer found two Hispanic males who had been shot to death, she said.
Authorities said the shooting took place at the intersection of Oak Ridge Road and Hansel Avenue, near a few schools.
“When were kids, we were allowed to go and do things and go around the neighborhoods and such, and I'm almost in fear of letting him do anything like that,” said Parent Richard Maxim.
The victims were able to drive a short distance to the school parking lot where they were found, Silva said. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
So far, no witnesses to the shooting have come forward and 911 did not receive any calls reporting gunshots in the area, she said.
"If anyone knows what (the victims) were doing beforehand, who they were hanging out with, then that would be helpful," Silva said.
Sheriff’s deputies and Belle Isle police officers were on the scene and Hansel Avenue was shut down as they investigated the shooting.
The roadway has since reopened.
Students were not being turned away from the school Wednesday morning and those who show up for class were kept in a safe location while the investigation was ongoing, school officials said.
Students who did not attend school Wednesday would not have the absence counted against them.
Pine Castle Elementary is across the street from the shooting scene.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff's Office or Crimeline, 800-423-TIPS.
Cox Media Group
