Our state emergency operations center is also monitoring this tragic incident. We are a strong and resilient state and we will devote every resource available to assist with the shooting in Orlando. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families and all those affected by this horrific tragedy. His office issued this statement about the shooting: Governor Scott declared a state of emergency today and announced early this morning that he was on his way to Orlando to confer with first responders and police officials. The President asked to receive regular updates as the FBI, and other federal officials, work with the Orlando Police to gather more information, and directed that the federal government provide any assistance necessary to pursue the investigation and support the community." Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims.
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"The President was briefed this morning by Lisa Monaco, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, on the tragic shooting in Orlando, Florida. President Obama issued a statement this morning:
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He began shooting, took hostages, and was later killed by police, who called him a "lone wolf." Mateen was armed with the assault rifle, a handgun, and possibly an explosive device. Sunday morning, when more than 230 people were packed into Pulse nightclub, police say. Grayson called the attack a "hate crime" against the gay community. Alan Grayson, have confirmed the man's identity as 29-year-old Omar Saddiqui Mateen of Port St. Police have not yet announced what motivated the attack, though they deemed it an act of "domestic terrorism." They also haven't confirmed the identity of the single gunman, who was reportedly armed with an assault-style rifle, but multiple news agencies, as well as Rep. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency, and leaders are asking for blood donors to step forward to help. At least 53 others were wounded and are in local hospitals.
#Orlando florida gay bar shooting update
Update 11:15 a.m.: The shooter's father tells NBC News that his son wasn't religiously motivated but that the shooting was an anti-gay hate crime, perhaps sparked when his son recently saw two gay men kissing at Bayside Marketplace in Miami.Īt least 50 people are dead, authorities have now confirmed, in an overnight mass shooting inside a packed gay nightclub in Orlando. He emphasized in a statement that the country must do more to reduce gun violence, such as banning assault weapons and closing loopholes in regulations that enable gun buyers to bypass background checks.Update 1:12 p.m.: The City of Miami Beach announced it will hold a candlelight vigil tonight for the Pulse nightclub victims at SoundScape Park, 500 17th St., Miami Beach, at 7 p.m. President Joe Biden said Saturday that he will sign a bill naming the nightclub as a national memorial. The group also offers educational programs and legacy scholarships. Members of the onePULSE Foundation, a nonprofit incorporated by the owners of the nightclub, said a memorial and museum is in the works. “And if we are going to snuff them out, we must make the same defiant choice we made on this site five years ago today, and that is to embrace the power of community and reject the temptation to come apart at the seams of our differences.” Wolf admitted to the crowd that he felt like running away after the massacre but instead made a promise to his late friend: to “never stop fighting for a world he would be proud of.” Now the media relations manager for the LGBTQ civil rights organization Equality Florida, Wolf said the anniversary of the shooting should remind people to recommit themselves to taking action. Six days later, he helped walk Leinonen’s casket down the aisle at his funeral.
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Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who donated blood recently in honor of the people who were killed, said the dead must continue to be remembered with “real change.” He promised to help foster a community where everyone feels equally valued and protected.īrandon Wolf recalled walking into Pulse on June 12, 2016, arm in arm with his best friend, Drew Leinonen.