A reporter named Dylan Lyons, 24, and a 9-year-old girl named T’yonna Major were tragically killed in a senseless act of violence on Wednesday afternoon.
Four People Were Shot In The Wake Of A Homicide
The situation unfolded down in Orlando, Florida, and it took place as Lyons and Spectrum News 13 photojournalist Jesse Walden were at the scene of an earlier homicide, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
At around 4 p.m., the shooter—who’s reportedly also suspected of committing the initial homicide—opened fire on the journalists. After shooting Lyons and Walden, the perp also proceeded to gun down T’yonna Major and her mother.
Major and Lyons ultimately did not survive, and the other two victims are being treated for their injuries.
Shortly after the tragedy, Orange County authorities apprehended a 19-year-old suspect named Keith Melvin Moses.
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
This is 19-year-old Keith Melvin Moses, the suspect in a series of shootings today that left three dead, including a woman in her 20’s a 9-year-old girl and a News13 employee. We extend our deepest condolences to all of their families. This is a sad day for our community. pic.twitter.com/whq8DfbmPR
— Orange County Sheriff’s Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) February 23, 2023
People Honor Dylan Lyons: ‘He Was Taken Too Early’
In the wake of the tragic news, various people have taken to social media to remember Dylan Lyons.
Our hearts go out to the family of the journalist killed today and the crew member injured in Orange County, Florida, as well as the whole Spectrum News team.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) February 23, 2023
I’m still saddened and heartbroken when I found out the news yesterday in Orlando about my former TV20 coworker and friend Dylan Lyons. I remember every time I got a chance to go to the station in Gainesville we would always joke and talk his favorite Philly sports teams. pic.twitter.com/SQTQynZIS1
— Taylor Simpson WCJB (@TaylorSimpsonTV) February 23, 2023
The reporter shot & killed covering a homicide near Orlando has been identified as Dylan Lyons a UCF grad and native of Philadelphia. He joined @MyNews13 just last year. He was recently engaged & was turning 25 next month. My heart breaks. He didn’t deserve this. @FOX29philly 💔 pic.twitter.com/UWZBzswPR4
— Shaynah Ferreira (@ShaynahFerreira) February 23, 2023
While on air, Spectrum News 13 reporter Celeste Springer spoke on the tragedy, and she implored viewers to “please say a prayer for every victim of gun violence.” She also spoke on how the ordeal “is extremely devastating.”
“This is extremely devastating for all of us, but I am proud to have such an amazing team backing all of us…Please, please say a prayer tonight for our co-worker who is in critical condition. And while you’re at it, please say a prayer for every victim of gun violence.”
My coworker and a 9-year-old baby lost their lives today. Struggling to find the words, but I said what I could here. Thank you to everyone for checking in, and for the kind words of support for our entire team at @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/0jXrKd6dKV
— Celeste Springer (@CelesteSpringer) February 23, 2023
The station took a moment to honor and reflect on the career of Lyons, a Philadelphia native who relocated to the Sunshine State in order to attend the University of Central Florida.
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
There’s also a GoFundMe that was started by Dylan’s sister, Rachel Lyons, and re-shared by his fiancée. Within the fundraiser’s description, Dylan is described as “an acting father to his niece and nephew” who was also “a devoted son to his mother and father.” At the end, his sister notes, “[Dylan] was our baby. He was taken too early from us.”
The fiancée of Dylan Lyons, the reporter who was shot and killed while covering a shooting in Orlando, has posted a fundraiser below: https://t.co/CPB7SLHjkU
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 23, 2023
We send our prayers to the surviving victims, and our condolences go out to the families of those slain in this tragedy.
