After the mass killing in downtown Orlando that killed many, a 17-year-old is being charged with murder and attempted murder. However, police say his first crime was grand theft auto last year.
News 6 talked to Dartanyan Bright, who says Jaylen Edgar stole his car in November of last year. Outside of his east Orange County apartment, his 2020 Nissan was parked. It was gone the next morning.
Bright said, “My fiancé was going to my car and accidentally knocked my spare key off the key ring. It now lies in front of my door.” “My car was gone when I went outside in the morning to take my kids to school.”
Bright told the Orange County Sheriff’s Office about it, and News 6 was able to get a copy of the incident record, which shows that deputies quickly found the car parked in the back of the Vista Haven Apartments.
Detectives saw a kid who looked like Edgar get into the driver’s seat while they were watching him. The report says that they followed the car to Curry Ford Road and arrested Edgar when it pulled over with its lights on.
Bright says that most of the time, his car was in good shape. The car seats for his kids and some boxing gear were left in the trunk. He says the brakes were broken in some way.
Bright explained, “I had to change the rotors and brakes on the car because I guess he went for a little fun ride.”
Bright says that the problem was fixed right away. He told police that morning that his car had been stolen. By noon, he had it back, and he was able to get to work on time.
Bright said, “Yeah, it was pretty quick.” “What a great job Orange County did.”
Edgar was not 18 years old, so the case was heard in youth court.
Bright says he went to a meeting and that Edgar will be put in a program to keep him from going to jail. It is normal for young offenders to do that.
As a way to hold young people responsible without putting them in a detention center, the State Attorney’s Office works with the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court.
The website for the State Attorney’s Office says that most of the programs in the Ninth Judicial Circuit require young offenders to follow a curfew, get therapy and mentoring, and learn how to live a good life.
But Bright says he was told Edgar never finished the program.
“Orange County called me today to say that they are going to press full charges for the grand theft auto that happened in November because he did not do the program and they did not have any proof that he did it,” Bright said.
“Of course, he had to go to school and then do the program that would help him get his life back on track.” But he did not do any of those things or go to any of the classes. He was back on the streets as if nothing had happened.
Bright said he did not know until after Halloween, and he wants to know more about what took place.
“As a person who lives in Orange County and worries about everyone’s safety, my main concern is how someone like that gets away with crimes?”
Then Orange County’s part is how did not we go catch him? Also, why do not we follow up with young people in that way?” Bright asked.
News 6 called the State Attorney’s Office again on Friday. A spokesperson told us, “The case is still open and ongoing, so we are unable to comment at this time to maintain its integrity.” They then gave us records and answers.
Bright says he understood what was going on at first, but now he thinks maybe something could have been done.
“You know, at first I did want to believe him because he is a child.” I wanted to say, “Hey, people choose stupid things.” “He made a bad choice by stealing a car, but that does not mean his whole life should be ruined because of it,” Bright said. “He did not take my life, no matter what he took that day.”
But I know I can go home and see my kids. My thoughts and prayers are with those other family members.
This is Edgar’s first time in adult court. He is being tried for grand theft auto and the shooting in downtown.
At the moment, he is being held without bond at the Orange County Jail.