Approximately 50 people are dead and 53 were transferred to local hospitals, including one officer, after a gunman opened fire in an Orlando nightclub. The worst mass shooting in USA history-49 dead and 53 wounded-took place at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, during Pride Month.
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I want to say this to all the LGBT people grieving today in Florida and across our country: You have millions of allies who will always have your back. He bizarrely called 911 in the midst of his rampage to announce his allegiance to the Islamic State, yet his father said, “This had nothing to do with religion”, saying that his son was outraged by the sight of gay men kissing on the street. After entering the club, Mateen took at least 30 people hostage inside the club. We will not and may never know how many lives were saved inside that club. A bomb-disposal robot was filmed at the scene.
The suspect has been identified as Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old USA citizen. He was a licensed security guard, trained in the use of weapons.
“That means defeating global terror groups, working with allies and partners to go after them wherever they are, countering their attempts to recruit people here and everywhere, and hardening our defences at home”, she said. “This has nothing to do with religion”, he told NBC.
Islam and the Quran do not call for the killing of homosexuals and these acts are exclusively acts of terrorism. He said, “There are no definitive judgments on the precise motivations of the killer”, but added that, “the Federal Bureau of Investigation is appropriately investigating this as an act of terrorism”. After the tragedy, an assistant agent in charge of the FBI’s Tampa Division, Ronald Hopper, speculated Mateen was an Islamist radical.
Senator Bill Nelson spoke to the public at 11:50 a.m. and stated that Intelligence Committee Staff from the Counter Terrorism Center in DC, believe that there is some connection between ISIS and the shooter.
Still mourning from a deadly attack that killed four, dozens of people held a vigil in Tel Aviv, showing solidarity with the people of Orlando.
“We condemn this monstrous attack and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed or injured”.
“Israel stands shoulder to shoulder alongside the United States at this moment of tragic loss”, Netanyahu added.
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“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families and the fearless men and women who risked their lives to save others”, Sen.
