“There’s blood everywhere”, U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson told reporters. The official was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Advertisement
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Danny Banks said earlier that the mass shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
Authorities say up to 20 people died and 42 were hospitalised as a result of the mass shooting at an LGBTI bar in Orlando.
– Eric Tucker in Washington contributed.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families and all those affected by this horrific tragedy”.
Law enforcement sources told CNN that the suspect had possible explosive devices strapped to his body and in his vehicle, but a US official said later that no explosives were found. “We will devote every resource available to assist”.
His statement also thanks the first responders.
President Obama was briefed on the events by Lisa Monaco, assistant to the president for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism.
Now 20 people are believed to have been injured, but that number is expected to rise.
In addition to the guns, the shooter also had some sort of “suspicious device”, Mina said.
The gunman entered Pulse at approximately 2am local time armed with an assault rifle.
The shooting began around 2 a.m., and an officer who was working at the club responded, Mina said.
The shooter is not from the Orlando area, Mina said.
Police said local, state and federal agencies were investigating.
Orlando Police Chief John Mina did not immediately provide an exact number of how many people were killed.
A police officer was injured in the shooting of the suspect, Mina says, saying that his Kevlar helmet likely saved his life. He said one officer exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who then went inside. Around 5 a.m., police made a decision to attempt a rescue and were able to help about 30 people escape.
Witnesses who were inside the busy club have described a man walking in and firing shots into the ceiling and then the crowd.
The nightclub posted on its Facebook page shortly after the violence began: “Everyone get out of Pulse and keep running”.
Police say a loud noise near the scene of a reported shooting at a nightclub in Florida was a “controlled explosion”.
According to media reports, at least 20 shots were heard inside the club. He continued to hear shooting even after he emerged and police urged people to back away from the club. Just before 6 a.m., the club posted an update: “As soon as we have any information we will update everyone”.
Orlando Police say they are responding to a shooting at a gay nightclub after shots were fired around 2 a.m. EST. The department also advises people to stay away from area. One of its postings overnight said: “Everyone get out of pulse and keep running”.
This comes a day after a gunman shot and killed singer Christina Grimmie at an Orlando concert venue. Grimmie was a YouTube sensation and former contestant on “The Voice”.
Advertisement
This story has been corrected to show that information about shooting being investigated as act of terrorism came from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, not the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
