ORLANDO, Fla. – A 17-year-old girl was shot and killed at an Orlando apartment complex, leaving neighbors with questions as investigators continue working to determine what led to the violence.
Crime scene tape surrounded Baldwin Meadows Apartments Wednesday evening after Orange County deputies responded to the shooting. The sheriff’s office has not released details about what happened before the gunfire or whether any arrests have been made. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
On Thursday, the sheriff’s office identified the teen as Skyler Bradford.
Resident April Ortiz said she had seen the teen around the complex several times visiting one of the families at the apartment but did not believe the teen herself lived there.
“I’m not familiar with her, but I do know the people who lives there (where the shooting happened). It’s a mother and son who live there,” Ortiz said.
She said she remembered seeing Bradford the day before the shooting.
When Ortiz stepped outside after the gunfire, she said she saw a scene she will never forget.
“Her face was swollen, blood, just seeing someone laying here not breathing was just unbelievable,” Ortiz said.
Deputies remained at the scene, speaking with multiple people as they worked to gather information. Their vehicles were parked near the area where Ortiz’s children play.
As a mother, Ortiz said she cannot imagine the pain the victim’s family is experiencing.
“I would be devastated if it happened to be my child out here like that. I can’t imagine what the family is feeling,” she said.
Ortiz said safety concerns have been a growing issue at the complex and believes more security is needed.
“Definitely need a lot more security around here,” she said.
She also expressed frustration over ongoing problems in the community.
“They just don’t care around here. They literally break through the fences and everything. It’s unbelievable,” Ortiz said.
News 6 has contacted property management about whether additional safety measures would be put in place and has not yet responded.
For Ortiz, the shooting has changed how she feels about living at the complex.
“I don’t even want to be here. I don’t want to live here, honestly,” she said.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active and ongoing.