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The suspect exchanged gunfire with 14 police officers at the club, which had more than 300 people inside.Īt one point, he took hostages, Police Chief John Mina said. Orlando Police officers direct family members away from a fatal shooting at Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, June 12, 2016. Mateen purchased at least two firearms legally within the last week or so, according to Trevor Velinor of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. He described the contact as minimal, saying it did not constitute a threat at the time. In 2014, Hopper said, officials found that Mateen had ties to an American suicide bomber. The shooter in 2013 made inflammatory comments to co-workers, and Mateen was interviewed twice, Hopper said. Mateen’s ex-wife said his family was from Afghanistan but that her ex-husband was born in New York. Lucie, Florida, who had worked as a security guard. The suspect was identified as Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old American citizen from Port St. He had an automatic rifle, so nobody stood a chance,” said Jackie Smith, who had two friends next to her get shot. “Some guy walked in and started shooting everybody. Witnesses described a chaotic scene when the gunfire began shortly before the club known as Pulse was to close. MORE: Scott Gilmore on the one thing the Orlando shooting will change “There’s blood everywhere,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.Īll of the dead were killed with the assault rifle, according to Rep. A surgeon at Orlando Regional Medical Center said the death toll was likely to climb.
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The shooter called 911 shortly before the attack and referenced ISIS, FBI agent Ronald Hopper said.Īt least 53 people were hospitalized, most in critical condition, officials said. The gunman’s father recalled that his son recently got angry when he saw two men kissing in Miami and said that might be related to the assault. history.Īuthorities were investigating the attack on the Florida dance club as an act of terrorism. It was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside a crowded gay nightclub early Sunday, killing at least 50 people before dying in a gunfight with SWAT officers, police said. A gunman opened fire at a nightclub in central Florida, and multiple people have been wounded, police said Sunday. Towns said his brother was in the club at the time. Jermaine Towns, left, and Brandon Shuford wait down the street from a multiple shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, June 12, 2016.