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| Courtesy of Orlando PD |
UPDATE 3:50pm EDT Information from the latest press conference and President's remarks.
@orlandomayor "we will tone defined by this act of terror.
Moment of silence at 6 pm tonight for victims of Pulse shooting.
Pulse shooting: the 11 OPD Ofcs are relieved of duty as is standard in Officer Involved Shootings. FDLE will investigate.
Suspect identified as Omar Mateen, 29. An American citizen born in New York. @FBI first became aware of him in 2013.
@FBI we do NOT have a second suspect that we are looking for.
ATF: The gunman legally purchased the firearms within the last week. In Florida.
ATF Agent who spoke is Trevor Velinor, Asst Special Agent in Charge ATF Tampa Field Division.
Statement from governor:
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott released the following statement on this morning’s shooting in Orlando.
Governor Scott said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families and all those
affected by this horrific tragedy. We are a strong and resilient state and we will devote every resource available to assist with the shooting in Orlando. Our state emergency operations center is also monitoring this tragic incident. I have been in constant communication with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and state and local law enforcement this morning. I would like to also thank all the first responders who quickly came to assist and help those in need.”
Governor Scott is traveling to Orlando now to meet with law enforcement and local officials. An updated schedule will be released shortly.
Remarks by the President on Mass Shooting in Orlando
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
1:59 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Today, as Americans, we grieve the brutal murder -- a horrific massacre -- of dozens of innocent people. We pray for their families, who are grasping for answers with broken hearts. We stand with the people of Orlando, who have endured a terrible attack on their city. Although it’s still early in the investigation, we know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate. And as Americans, we are united in grief, in outrage, and in resolve to defend our people.
I just finished a meeting with FBI Director Comey and my homeland security and national security advisors. The FBI is on the scene and leading the investigation, in partnership with local law enforcement. I’ve directed that the full resources of the federal government be made available for this investigation.
We are still learning all the facts. This is an open investigation. We’ve reached no definitive judgment on the precise motivations of the killer. The FBI is appropriately investigating this as an act of terrorism. And I’ve directed that we must spare no effort to determine what -- if any -- inspiration or association this killer may have had with terrorist groups. What is clear is that he was a person filled with hatred. Over the coming days, we’ll uncover why and how this happened, and we will go wherever the facts lead us.
This morning I spoke with my good friend, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and I conveyed the condolences of the entire American people. This could have been any one of our communities. So I told Mayor Dyer that whatever help he and the people of Orlando need -- they are going to get it. As a country, we will be there for the people of Orlando today, tomorrow and for all the days to come.
We also express our profound gratitude to all the police and first responders who rushed into harm’s way. Their courage and professionalism saved lives, and kept the carnage from being even worse. It’s the kind of sacrifice that our law enforcement professionals make every single day for all of us, and we can never thank them enough.
This is an especially heartbreaking day for all our friends -- our fellow Americans -- who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. The shooter targeted a nightclub where people came together to be with friends, to dance and to sing, and to live. The place where they were attacked is more than a nightclub -- it is a place of solidarity and empowerment where people have come together to raise awareness, to speak their minds, and to advocate for their civil rights.
So this is a sobering reminder that attacks on any American -- regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation -- is an attack on all of us and on the fundamental values of equality and dignity that define us as a country. And no act of hate or terror will ever change who we are or the values that make us Americans.
Today marks the most deadly shooting in American history. The shooter was apparently armed with a handgun and a powerful assault rifle. This massacre is therefore a further reminder of how easy it is for someone to get their hands on a weapon that lets them shoot people in a school, or in a house of worship, or a movie theater, or in a nightclub. And we have to decide if that’s the kind of country we want to be. And to actively do nothing is a decision as well.
In the coming hours and days, we’ll learn about the victims of this tragedy. Their names. Their faces. Who they were. The joy that they brought to families and to friends, and the difference that they made in this world. Say a prayer for them and say a prayer for their families -- that God give them the strength to bear the unbearable. And that He give us all the strength to be there for them, and the strength and courage to change. We need to demonstrate that we are defined more -- as a country -- by the way they lived their lives than by the hate of the man who took them from us.
As we go together, we will draw inspiration from heroic and selfless acts -- friends who helped friends, took care of each other and saved lives. In the face of hate and violence, we will love one another. We will not give in to fear or turn against each other. Instead, we will stand united, as Americans, to protect our people, and defend our nation, and to take action against those who threaten us.
May God bless the Americans we lost this morning. May He comfort their families. May God continue to watch over this country that we love. Thank you.
RCN America Network will post further updates will be posted on our Tennessee site as it is close to Florida.
UPDATE 11:15am EDT: Pulse nightclub shooting: To recap media briefing - 50 are dead. Additional 53 have been taken to local hospitals.
Florida Gov has declared a state of emergency. City of Orlando also declared state of emergency.
Our focus right now is on identifying the many victims in this tragedy and notifying their family members. Hotline 4 family: 407-246-4357.
Pulse Nightclub Shooting: Aside from live briefings, only official information comes from this @OrlandoPolice Twitter feed.
UPDATE 11am EDT: Information from the latest press conference on the night club shooting.
From Orlando Mayor:
We are dealing with something we never imagined.
Because of the scale I have called Governor Scott to request a state of emergency and we are issuing a state of emergency in the City.
This allows us to bring additions resources to support our efforts.
Our focus in the coming hours will be identifying the victims and notifying the families.
We are setting up a hotline for concerned family members - 407.246.4357.
The identification process may take some time. We ask for your patience as we want to be accurate.
I continue to be proud of how our community has responded.
Mayor Dyer: 50 dead in Pulse nightclub shooting. @ChiefJohnMina Suspect had handgun and AR15 type rifle.
@ChiefJohnMina One of the worst mass shootings in our nation's history.
OPD first responders and SWAT rescued at least 30 people from inside the club and brought them out alive.
RCN America Network will update this story as information becomes available. What we know is this was a gay club, according other news sources the shooter was Omar Mateen of St. Lucie County, Florida.
-U.S.-born citizen
- Known to law enforcement
- Not target of an investigation
According to GMA, Suspect was well prepared with two weapons, including an assault weapon, and an explosive device.
More details to come...
UPDATE 9:30am EDT: According to the Press Secretary. "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. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims. 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."
BREAKING NEWS...Orlando Florida - A day after beautiful and amazing singer Christina Grimmie was shot an killed. We hear of another shooting early Sunday, June 12th, 2016, this time at a popular night club ' Pulse' where several are dead, 'Mass Casualty event' in Orlando, Florida.
According to Orlando Police Department from their press conference.
@ChiefJohnMina multiple people dead inside the club. Many casualties transported to hospitals.
@orlandomayor Our community is strong. We will need to help each other's get through this.
@ChiefJohnMina officers shot & killed the suspect. In gunfire OPD officer shot: Kevlar helmet saved him.
Pulse nightclub shooting: Approximately 20 people dead inside the club.
Pulse Shooting: If you have any information, call @FBI Hotline: 1-800-CALL FBI
FBI says the mass shooting in #Orlando being investigated as an act of terrorism.
More details to come.....
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