White House statements on the "heinous attack" on Pulse nightclub in Orlando /khohfe6BOC- Asawin Suebsaeng June 12, 2016 The White House issued a statement, offering condolences and saying that both the president and vice president have asked to receive regular updates on the situation. "Tonight our community witnessed or experienced a very horrific crime," Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said in a statement. history.Īpproximately 53 injured people were taken to area hospitals, including Orlando Health, which now has a family information center. Sunday, Orlando city officials have confirmed more than 50 people have died, making this the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. Mina said police have not determined an exact number of casualties, but as of 11 a.m. "Many were saved by the heroic efforts of the men and women of the OPD, the Orange County Sheriffs, Seminal County Sheriff's office," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer in a press conference. There was then a "tense" shoot-out, during which a bullet struck an officer's Kevlar helmet, which Orlando Police Chief John Mina believes saved the officer's life. Mateen was shot dead just by the SWAT team before 6 a.m. on Sunday during the club's popular Latin Saturday event. He was carrying an assault rifle, a handgun, and was reportedly wearing an explosive device. Police say the suspect exchanged gunfire with an officer working at the club,then went inside where he continued shooting and took a large number of hostages - over 300 people were in attendance at the club.Īt around 5 a.m., a SWAT team used a "controlled explosion" to distract the shooter, allowing them to rescue hostages. Lucie entered Orlando's Pulse nightclub at 2 a.m. The Orlando Sentinel reports that 29-year-old Omar Mateen of Port St. 30, 2013, property deed in St.Florida officials say a gunman opened fire and later took hostages inside a packed gay nightclub in Orlando early Sunday morning, killing "at least" 50 people and injuring many others before dying in a firefight with SWAT officers. Mateen married his second wife, Noor Salman, but an Aug.
Mateen’s Afghan-born father, Seddique Mateen, is a fringe political commentator who rails against Pakistan and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.She said he aspired to be a police officer and had worked as a correctional officer at a detention centre for juvenile delinquents in Fort Pierce, Fla.Mateen’s former wife, Sitora Yusufiy, said he was “bipolar” and emotionally disturbed and that she had been beaten by him.Mateen trumpeted his allegiance to Islamic State in a 911 call minutes before the attack.He was involved in two recent probes by the FBI concerning potential ties to.He was permitted to carry a gun as part of his job.He was a licensed security guard with G4S, one of the largest private security contractors in the world Omar Mateen via Myspace/Handout via REUTERS An undated photo from a social media account of Omar Mateen, who Orlando Police have identified as the suspect in the mass shooting at a gay nighclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S., June 12, 2016.