This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/36510272
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Florida Pulse gay club attacked in Orlando - at least 20 dead | Florida Pulse gay club attacked in Orlando - at least 20 dead |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least 20 people have been killed and some 42 injured in a shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, police say. | At least 20 people have been killed and some 42 injured in a shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, police say. |
| Orlando Police said officers entered the Pulse Club about three hours after the shooting unfolded - and killed the gunman, who had taken hostages. | Orlando Police said officers entered the Pulse Club about three hours after the shooting unfolded - and killed the gunman, who had taken hostages. |
| They called it an act of terrorism, but said they did not yet know if it was domestic or international. | They called it an act of terrorism, but said they did not yet know if it was domestic or international. |
| Relatives have been gathering at local hospitals desperate for news. | Relatives have been gathering at local hospitals desperate for news. |
| Many had received calls and texts from loved ones inside the club as the siege began, and some have heard nothing since. | Many had received calls and texts from loved ones inside the club as the siege began, and some have heard nothing since. |
| Live updates | Live updates |
| Orlando Police Chief John Mina said the attack began at 02:00 (06:00 GMT). There was an exchange of fire with a police officer working at the club, but it is unclear whether that was inside or outside the venue. | |
| After this a "hostage situation" unfolded, he said. | |
| Chief Mina said a decision was taken at 05:00 to send a police assault team into the club after receiving texts and phone calls from some of the hostages. | Chief Mina said a decision was taken at 05:00 to send a police assault team into the club after receiving texts and phone calls from some of the hostages. |
| "Our SWAT officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, the suspect is dead," he said. | "Our SWAT officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, the suspect is dead," he said. |
| "He appeared to be carrying an assault-type rifle and a handgun, and had some type of device on him." | "He appeared to be carrying an assault-type rifle and a handgun, and had some type of device on him." |
| An FBI spokesman said they were investigating whether the attacker was a "lone wolf". He said the attacker appeared to "have leanings towards" radical Islamist ideology but it was not yet clear whether this was a case of domestic or international terrorism. | An FBI spokesman said they were investigating whether the attacker was a "lone wolf". He said the attacker appeared to "have leanings towards" radical Islamist ideology but it was not yet clear whether this was a case of domestic or international terrorism. |
| At least 20 bodies have been found in the club itself, and some 42 people have been taken to hospital to be treated for their injuries, Chief Mina said. | At least 20 bodies have been found in the club itself, and some 42 people have been taken to hospital to be treated for their injuries, Chief Mina said. |
| A clubber earlier described a situation of chaos outside as the number of casualties became apparent. | A clubber earlier described a situation of chaos outside as the number of casualties became apparent. |
| "There were just bodies everywhere," Christopher Hansen said. "In the parking lot, they were tagging them - red, yellow - so they knew who to help first and who not help first. Pants down, shirts cut off, they had to find the bullets. Just blood everywhere." | "There were just bodies everywhere," Christopher Hansen said. "In the parking lot, they were tagging them - red, yellow - so they knew who to help first and who not help first. Pants down, shirts cut off, they had to find the bullets. Just blood everywhere." |
| Some of the injured were reportedly brought to the Orlando Regional Medical Center in police pick-ups. | Some of the injured were reportedly brought to the Orlando Regional Medical Center in police pick-ups. |
| More than 100 people were reported to have been enjoying the end of a Latin-themed night in the club, which calls itself the hottest gay bar in the city, when the attack began. | More than 100 people were reported to have been enjoying the end of a Latin-themed night in the club, which calls itself the hottest gay bar in the city, when the attack began. |
| "We heard rapid fire go off. In the room I was in, people went down to the floor. I wasn't able to see the shooter or people get hurt," Ricardo Negron Almodovar told BBC News. | "We heard rapid fire go off. In the room I was in, people went down to the floor. I wasn't able to see the shooter or people get hurt," Ricardo Negron Almodovar told BBC News. |
| "At some point, there was a brief pause, and a group of us got up and went to the exit that leads to the patio area outside. We found an exit and after that... I just ran." | "At some point, there was a brief pause, and a group of us got up and went to the exit that leads to the patio area outside. We found an exit and after that... I just ran." |
| According to the Mass Shooting Tracker, the US last year suffered 372 mass shootings, defined as a single incident that kills or injures four or more people. Some 475 people were killed and 1,870 wounded. | According to the Mass Shooting Tracker, the US last year suffered 372 mass shootings, defined as a single incident that kills or injures four or more people. Some 475 people were killed and 1,870 wounded. |
| The latest incident came as Orlando was still reeling from the fatal shooting on Friday night of 22-year-old singer Christina Grimmie following a concert in the city. | The latest incident came as Orlando was still reeling from the fatal shooting on Friday night of 22-year-old singer Christina Grimmie following a concert in the city. |
| She had been signing autographs when she was shot by 26-year-old Kevin James Loibl, who then killed himself. It is not clear what Loibl's motive was. | She had been signing autographs when she was shot by 26-year-old Kevin James Loibl, who then killed himself. It is not clear what Loibl's motive was. |
| Were you at the Orlando Pulse nightclub? Or nearby when the incident happened? | Were you at the Orlando Pulse nightclub? Or nearby when the incident happened? |
| If you have an experience you would like to share, or pictures, then share it with us in the following ways: | If you have an experience you would like to share, or pictures, then share it with us in the following ways: |
| Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Send pictures/video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk | Send pictures/video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk |
| Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay | Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay |
| Send an SMS or MMS to 61124 or +44 7624 800 100 | Send an SMS or MMS to 61124 or +44 7624 800 100 |
| Contact us on WhatsApp number +44 (0)7525 900971 | Contact us on WhatsApp number +44 (0)7525 900971 |
| Text us on 61124 or +44 7624 800 100 if you are outside the UK | Text us on 61124 or +44 7624 800 100 if you are outside the UK |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |