Drug incident near Disney World leads to shootout with police, multiple victims reported

A few days ago, a tragic drug-related shooting occurred outside the Walt Disney World Resort Parks. Here’s what we know.

Tragic incident leads to multiple deaths outside Disney World Parks

Two people were killed and another injured in a shooting Tuesday morning at the Rapallo apartment complex in Kissimmee, according to WFLA News Channel 8 and WFTV. According to NBC affiliate WESH, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire in the 3000 block of Marta Circle.

This location is less than 15 minutes from the Walt Disney World Resort Parks. When officers arrived on the scene, they found two men who had been shot. One was pronounced dead at the scene, the other later died at the hospital.

A third man, also found shot in the bushes, was arrested and is currently recovering in the hospital. He has been identified as a suspect, Sheriff Marco Lopez said during a press conference. The sheriff’s office confirmed that the people involved in the shooting knew each other and there was no danger to the public.

Sheriff Lopez stated that the shooting was likely drug-related. As of this report, the Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the incident at the apartment complex. The OCSO responded to the shooting at the Rapallo Apartments on Marta Circle around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday after multiple gunshots were reported.

Three victims suffered gunshot wounds in the incident. Two victims were taken to the hospital, where one, identified as 20-year-old Adrian Joel Gonzales, succumbed to his injuries. The other victims, including the person found dead at the scene, have not yet been identified as the investigation is ongoing. Officials reiterated that they believe the shooting was drug-related and that there was no danger to the community.

In other Disney World news, a dead fish was seen floating in EPCOT’s water, somewhat ruining the destination’s magic for those who rode the monorail in June. This week and last week, the area was also hit by damaging heat waves, resulting in below-average attendance at the parks through yesterday. Temperatures rose to around 41 degrees, with the heat index slightly higher.

In other Disney World news: A Disney employee faces a 10-year prison sentence for embezzling nearly $200,000 in guest refunds. Elizabeth Carpenter, a former employee at Disney’s Shades of Green Resort, is involved in a massive embezzlement scheme. Prosecutors have revealed that she allegedly embezzled over $180,000 by processing unauthorized refunds to herself.

In other sad news, a puppy was pronounced dead in a hot car earlier this year. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has made a significant development in the case of the puppies abandoned at Disney Springs, an incident that rocked the Disney community earlier this year. Following this harrowing event, an affidavit was issued for his arrest for aggravated animal cruelty.

The charges are against Wilson Nieves Cortes, a 39-year-old Puerto Rican man who allegedly left his four puppies unattended in a sweltering car while dining with his family at the popular amusement complex. Cortes has now presented a shocking defense for his actions. Stay tuned to Inside The Magic for more news from your favorite theme parks around the world.