ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — According to court records, a man accused of shooting two women at resorts in Orange County has been deemed unfit to stand trial.
In December 2022, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jailen Houston, a 19-year-old, for his alleged involvement in a shooting spree near International Drive.
Multiple reports of gunshots were received from at least five locations, resulting in two women being shot and subsequently hospitalized.
According to the sheriff’s office, Houston, originally from Georgia, claimed that he had come to Orlando a few days before enrolling in a local university.
The sheriff’s office stated that Houston went to Westgate Lakes Resort, where he became frustrated after being denied check-in due to not meeting the minimum age requirement of 21.
According to the arrest affidavit, Houston then purchased ammunition and magazines from a store and loaded an AR-15 rifle that he had brought with him.
Returning to the resort, he entered to use the restroom before retrieving his rifle from his car.
Allegedly, Houston reentered the hotel lobby, encountered three individuals, and began firing at them.
One woman in her 20s was shot and subsequently hospitalized, according to the sheriff’s office.
Afterward, Houston reportedly proceeded to Marriott Cypress Harbour Villas, where he allegedly shot a female security guard in her 20s, who was also taken to the hospital.
The sheriff’s office received reports from at least five locations, including Marriott Residence Inn, Integra Cove Apartments, cars, and a bus, according to Orange County Undersheriff Mark Canty.
Canty stated that occupants of the vehicles targeted by Houston suffered injuries from shattered glass, but none sustained gunshot wounds.
After fleeing the scene, Houston drove toward Osceola County and ultimately crashed on Interstate 4.
A deputy spotted the wrecked car and noticed Houston sitting on a guardrail approximately 20 minutes after the initial shooting report. An AR-15 was observed in the passenger seat.
During questioning, Houston confessed to all the aforementioned shootings and expressed a sense of relief and satisfaction from shooting at people, as stated in the report.
When asked if he would engage in similar shootings in the future, he admitted that he would.
Houston is facing charges of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.
