Orlando Daily Briefing: Parramore Shooting Response, Safety Efforts, and Community Updates
Orlando, FL – February 19, 2026 – Community rallies after Parramore restaurant shooting as leaders push youth programs, safety efforts, and free health services.
Community responds after Parramore restaurant shooting
Orlando leaders and neighbors are working to steady the Parramore community after a weekend shooting that left four juveniles injured at Sister Soul Food, a popular soul food restaurant near downtown. Police say the gunfire followed a dispute among youths, with one teen critically hurt and three others suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
Residents and pastors gathered outside the restaurant for a vigil, praying for the victims and the neighborhood. Officers maintained a visible presence as the business reopened, helping reassure families who rely on the restaurant as a regular gathering spot.
Investigators continue to search for answers and have not announced any arrests. Police are asking anyone with information or video from the area around South Parramore Avenue to come forward.
Restaurant reopens with strong neighborhood support
Despite the violence, Sister Soul Food has reopened its doors with help from loyal customers and nearby churches. Community members pitched in to repair broken windows and other damage inside the dining room so staff could return to work quickly.
Lines formed as the doors opened, a visible show of support for the owners and workers. Many customers said they wanted to make sure the shooting did not define the business or the Parramore neighborhood, which has spent years working on revitalization efforts and new investment.
Local pastors and neighborhood leaders say they plan to keep checking in on the restaurant, both to support the staff and to offer teens a safe place to talk about what happened.
City leaders renew push for youth programs and prevention
City officials say the shooting comes even as overall violent crime has declined in Orlando in recent years. District 5 leaders, whose area includes Parramore, are using the incident to highlight mentoring, after-school activities, and wraparound services aimed at teens who may be at risk.
Officials point to a combination of police work and youth-focused programs as key to recent drops in homicides citywide. Still, they acknowledge that the Parramore shooting underscores how quickly conflicts between young people can turn serious when guns are involved.
Community groups are encouraging residents to sign up as mentors, support local youth programs, and help connect families with services that address school attendance, food, and transportation needs.
Free HIV testing event on Orlando’s north side
Outside of Parramore, a local nonprofit is continuing its series of free HIV testing evenings at Stafford House on Seminole Avenue. The program offers confidential screenings and information from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., giving residents a low-barrier way to check their status and connect with follow-up care if needed.
Organizers say the recurring events are part of a broader effort to expand access to health services in neighborhoods across Orlando, especially for people who may not have regular primary care.
Sources
- https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2026/02/19/parramore-youth-programs-teen-violence
- https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2026/02/19/parramore-residents-are-moving-forward-after-teens-shot-at-popular-restaurant
- https://www.wesh.com/article/vigil-orlando-restaurant-4-juveniles-shot/70407120
- https://www.clickorlando.com/video/news/2026/02/16/4-juveniles-injured-in-shooting-in-orlandos-parramore-neighborhood-police-say
- https://www.univision.com/local/orlando-wven/cuatro-menores-heridos-tiroteo-cerca-centro-orlando-confirma-policia
- https://miracleofloveinc.org/events/category/hiv-sti-screening/2026-02/
