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| Florida nightclub shooting: 50 killed and 53 injured in 'act of terror' – latest updates | Florida nightclub shooting: 50 killed and 53 injured in 'act of terror' – latest updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 8.42pm BST | |
| 20:42 | |
| Ed Pilkington | |
| My colleagues Ed Pilkington and Richard Luscombe are in Orlando, speaking with survivors, families of victims and locals who have lost track of loved ones or are taking to the streets in support of their suffering neighbors. | |
| Brian Vieoma has been texting and calling his brother Luis’s mobile phone since his family learned this morning about the Pulse shooting. So far he has had no reply and now fears the worst. | |
| “He came over for Latin Night, Venezuelans love to go dancing,” Brian Vieoma said of his 22-year-old brother. | |
| “We know he was at the club with a female friend, could be a girlfriend, could be a friend, but we don’t know, and we haven’t heard from him. There’s been no answer on his phone.” | |
| Luis Vieoma, who works at Universal Studios theme park’s Harry Potter was visiting the club from Sanford, a city north of Orlando. His father went to the Orlando Regional Medical Center to search for his son while Brian looked for information at a victim support center set up at a nearby hotel. | |
| “My mum is out of the country and it’ll be hard for her,” said Brian, 19. “We’re just praying.” | |
| Blocks from the Pulse nightclub, impromptu demonstrations are cropping up of local Orlando residents trying to speak back against hate. At one such rally next to an Arby’s in downtown Orlando a small group of LGBT activists are brandishing placards saying More Love, Less Hate and We Love Pulse. | |
| Among them Jym Herson, 50, said he would have been at the club had he not been working last night. He is still waiting to hear from three friends who he believes were among the club goers and who he is fearful about. | |
| “I feel numb right now,” he said. “How can this possibly happen. Why would you want to take on innocent people who aren’t doing anything other than having a good time?” | |
| 8.23pm BST | |
| 20:23 | |
| Mateen was interviewed by FBI in 2013 and 2014 | |
| Ron Hopper, FBI special agent, takes the microphone. The FBI is the lead investigative agency. | |
| “The individual believed to be responsible for the has been identified as Omar Amir Siddiq Mateen, aged 29, an American citizen born in New York.” | |
| “The FBI first became aware of Mateen in 2013 as he made inflammatory comments to coworkers, alleging possible terrorist ties. The FBI thoroughly investigated the matter including interviews of witnesses, physical surveillance and records checks.” | |
| “In the course of the investigation, Mateen was interviewed twice,” he says. “Ultimately we were unable to verify the substance of his comments, and the investigation was closed.” | |
| In 2014 Mateen again came to the attention to the FBI,” Hopper continues. Agents interviewd him again, after he suggested he had a relationship with an American suicide bomber, Moner Abusalha. “We determined that contact was minimal and didn’t to constitute a substantive relationship or threat at that that time.” | |
| Then Hopper talks about the reported 911 calls, in which Mateen allegedly pledged allegiance to the leader of the terror group Islamic State. | |
| “There were 911 calls in which there was conversation between the subject and 911 operators,” he says. “It was general to the Islamic State.” | |
| He says the FBI is looking at any terror ties, domestic or international. He won’t comment on interviews with Mateen’s family, saying “multiple interviews are being conducted as we speak.” | |
| Finally, a representative of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms says that Mateen legally purchased two weapons in the last week. | |
| “He is not a prohibitive person so he can legally walk into a gun dealership,” he says. “He did so within the last week or so.” | |
| Suspect identified as Omar Mateen, 29. An American citizen born in New York. @FBI first became aware of him in 2013 pic.twitter.com/gt18lhTM4G | |
| Updated | |
| at 8.39pm BST | |
| 8.14pm BST | |
| 20:14 | |
| Florida’s attorney general Pam Bondi says that her office will prosecute this crime and any like it to the fullest extent of the law. She echoes Scott, who said: “our justice is swift, penalties severe.” | |
| She also calls Americans together: “you’re hearing on a violent and tragic and horrible day the word love.” | |
| Police chief John Mina next takes the podium. He says 11 officers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, and have been relieved of duty as is standard procedure when officers are involved in shootings. | |
| Officers are now working on identifying victims and notifying family members, he adds. | |
| Sheriff Jerry Demings offers his thanks for “the raw support that we’re receiving” from many parties. “This was indeed an attack on our nation.” | |
| Three of his deputies were involved in the rescue efforts, and also have been relieved as is standard. | |
| 8.10pm BST | |
| 20:10 | |
| Florida governor: moment of silence at 6pm | |
| Florida officials have begun a press conference to provide updates on the statuses of victims and the investigation. | |
| “This is probably the most difficult day in the history of Orlando,” Mayor Buddy Dyer. “It is the most difficult for those families who are still waiting for those families who are still waiting for information on their loved ones.” | |
| The hotline to contact for information about loved ones is: 407.246.4357. Counseling services are available through the Zebra Coalition, as is a nearby LGBT group. There will also be a website: cityoforlando.net/victims. | |
| Governor Rick Scott then says there will be a moment of silence tonight at 6pm ET to mourn for those killed and to pray for the men and women still fighting for life. | |
| 8.02pm BST | 8.02pm BST |
| 20:02 | 20:02 |
| Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson have given a brief press conference in Orlando ahead of an FBI update on the investigation. | Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson have given a brief press conference in Orlando ahead of an FBI update on the investigation. |
| “The world is seeing this community respond in extraordinary ways,” Rubio says. “There are more people than there is the ability to process the blood and that’s terrific,” he adds, alluding to the huge crowds trying to donate to blood banks for the victims. | “The world is seeing this community respond in extraordinary ways,” Rubio says. “There are more people than there is the ability to process the blood and that’s terrific,” he adds, alluding to the huge crowds trying to donate to blood banks for the victims. |
| “This could’ve happened anywhere in the world, unfortunately this was Orlando’s turn,” he continues. “Suffice it to say we know that there’s hate in the world.” | “This could’ve happened anywhere in the world, unfortunately this was Orlando’s turn,” he continues. “Suffice it to say we know that there’s hate in the world.” |
| “They won’t terrorize America, they won’t terrorize Floridians,” he says, “irrespective of their sexual orientation, irrespective of their ideology, irrespective of where they live. We’re all Americans.” | “They won’t terrorize America, they won’t terrorize Floridians,” he says, “irrespective of their sexual orientation, irrespective of their ideology, irrespective of where they live. We’re all Americans.” |
| Senator Marco Rubio #PulseShooting pic.twitter.com/HocZm1r1tQ | Senator Marco Rubio #PulseShooting pic.twitter.com/HocZm1r1tQ |
| 7.49pm BST | 7.49pm BST |
| 19:49 | 19:49 |
| What we know | What we know |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.52pm BST | at 7.52pm BST |
| 7.24pm BST | 7.24pm BST |
| 19:24 | 19:24 |
| More details are emerging about Omar Mateen, the 29 year old from Fort Pierce, Florida, identified as the murderer of 50 people. | More details are emerging about Omar Mateen, the 29 year old from Fort Pierce, Florida, identified as the murderer of 50 people. |
| His former employer G4S has released a statement, CBS News’ Omar Villafranca tweets. | His former employer G4S has released a statement, CBS News’ Omar Villafranca tweets. |
| Statement from G4S, security company that employed #OrlandoShooting suspect Omar Mateen pic.twitter.com/9BnigdmyZK | Statement from G4S, security company that employed #OrlandoShooting suspect Omar Mateen pic.twitter.com/9BnigdmyZK |
| 7.15pm BST | 7.15pm BST |
| 19:15 | 19:15 |
| Obama: 'to do nothing on guns is a decision' | Obama: 'to do nothing on guns is a decision' |
| The president then grows more reflective. “Today marks the most deadly shooting in American history,” he says. | The president then grows more reflective. “Today marks the most deadly shooting in American history,” he says. |
| “This massacre is therefore a further reminder of how easy it is for someone to get their hands on a weapon that allows them to shoot people at a school, or a movie theater, or a church or a nightclub.” | “This massacre is therefore a further reminder of how easy it is for someone to get their hands on a weapon that allows them to shoot people at a school, or a movie theater, or a church or a nightclub.” |
| “This could have been any one of our communities,” he says. | “This could have been any one of our communities,” he says. |
| He says that Congress has the opportunity to change this, and to make such “powerful” weaponry harder to acquire. But he adds: “To actively do nothing is a decision as well.” | He says that Congress has the opportunity to change this, and to make such “powerful” weaponry harder to acquire. But he adds: “To actively do nothing is a decision as well.” |
| Finally he calls for solidarity and strength. “In the face of hate and violence we will love one another,” he says. “We will not give in to fear … we will stand united.” | Finally he calls for solidarity and strength. “In the face of hate and violence we will love one another,” he says. “We will not give in to fear … we will stand united.” |
| “May god bless the Americans we lost this morning … in the coming hours and days we’ll learn about the victims of this tragedy … say a prayer for them. And say a prayer for their families. … | “May god bless the Americans we lost this morning … in the coming hours and days we’ll learn about the victims of this tragedy … say a prayer for them. And say a prayer for their families. … |
| “No act of hate or terror will ever change who we are or the values that make us Americans.” | “No act of hate or terror will ever change who we are or the values that make us Americans.” |
| With that he ends his remarks – the 15th time in seven years that he has addressed the US after a mass shooting. He takes no questions. | With that he ends his remarks – the 15th time in seven years that he has addressed the US after a mass shooting. He takes no questions. |
| "This was an act of terror and act of hate." —@POTUS on the tragic shooting in #Orlando https://t.co/i7fOS38GzH | "This was an act of terror and act of hate." —@POTUS on the tragic shooting in #Orlando https://t.co/i7fOS38GzH |
| The White House has also just ordered “the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and at all public buildings and grounds, military and naval stations, naval vessels, and in all US territories and possessions until sunset. | The White House has also just ordered “the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and at all public buildings and grounds, military and naval stations, naval vessels, and in all US territories and possessions until sunset. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.20pm BST | at 7.20pm BST |
| 7.09pm BST | 7.09pm BST |
| 19:09 | 19:09 |
| Barack Obama: this was an act of terror and hate | Barack Obama: this was an act of terror and hate |
| “As Americans we grieve this brutal murder, horrific massacre of dozens of innocent people,” Barack Obama begins his remarks to the nation on the worst mass shooting in its history. | “As Americans we grieve this brutal murder, horrific massacre of dozens of innocent people,” Barack Obama begins his remarks to the nation on the worst mass shooting in its history. |
| “We stand with the people of Orlando, who have endured a terrible attack on their city,” he continues. “This is an especially heartbreaking day for all of our friends and fellow Americans who are lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual.” | “We stand with the people of Orlando, who have endured a terrible attack on their city,” he continues. “This is an especially heartbreaking day for all of our friends and fellow Americans who are lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual.” |
| He says the attack was against more than just a nightclub, but a place where “people came to dance and to sign and to live” and “a place of solidarity and empowerment, where people have come together to raise awareness to speak their minds and to advocate for their civil rights”. | He says the attack was against more than just a nightclub, but a place where “people came to dance and to sign and to live” and “a place of solidarity and empowerment, where people have come together to raise awareness to speak their minds and to advocate for their civil rights”. |
| The massacre, he says, is a “sobering reminder that attacks on any American, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation, is an attack on all of us.” | The massacre, he says, is a “sobering reminder that attacks on any American, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation, is an attack on all of us.” |
| “Although it’s still early,” he says, “we know enough to say this was an act of terror and an act of hate.” | “Although it’s still early,” he says, “we know enough to say this was an act of terror and an act of hate.” |
| He says he just had a meeting with FBI director James Comey and other intelligence officials, and that he ordered “the full resources” of the government into the investigation. “We must spare no effort to determine what inspiration.” | He says he just had a meeting with FBI director James Comey and other intelligence officials, and that he ordered “the full resources” of the government into the investigation. “We must spare no effort to determine what inspiration.” |
| “We are still learning all the facts. This is an open investigation. We have reached no definitive judgment on the precise motivations,” he adds. “What is clear is that this was was a person filled with hate.” | “We are still learning all the facts. This is an open investigation. We have reached no definitive judgment on the precise motivations,” he adds. “What is clear is that this was was a person filled with hate.” |
| “We will go wherever the facts lead us.” | “We will go wherever the facts lead us.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.18pm BST | at 7.18pm BST |
| 6.58pm BST | 6.58pm BST |
| 18:58 | 18:58 |
| My colleague Richard Luscombe has met another survivor of the attack in Orlando. | My colleague Richard Luscombe has met another survivor of the attack in Orlando. |
| Carson Wells was in the club with a group of friends enjoying Latin Night and said it was a completely normal evening until the gunman opened fire. | Carson Wells was in the club with a group of friends enjoying Latin Night and said it was a completely normal evening until the gunman opened fire. |
| “It felt like it was part of the DJ mix that was playing, just part of the music. | “It felt like it was part of the DJ mix that was playing, just part of the music. |
| “When I realised it wasn’t I just ran out the back, I didn’t look back.” | “When I realised it wasn’t I just ran out the back, I didn’t look back.” |
| Wells, from Orlando, said he was in a back room at Pulse three of his friends were hit by bullets and were in hospital, but none had life-threatening injuries. | Wells, from Orlando, said he was in a back room at Pulse three of his friends were hit by bullets and were in hospital, but none had life-threatening injuries. |
| Meanwhile, families and loved ones are still waiting for word from police and hospital officials about possible victims. Police warned that it would take hours to identify all the deceased and hospitalized victims, and heartbreaking anecdotes continue to emerge from Orlando. | Meanwhile, families and loved ones are still waiting for word from police and hospital officials about possible victims. Police warned that it would take hours to identify all the deceased and hospitalized victims, and heartbreaking anecdotes continue to emerge from Orlando. |
| Tyrell Smith doesn't know how many friends he's lost. "I pray for every one of them. Even the one who did it." | Tyrell Smith doesn't know how many friends he's lost. "I pray for every one of them. Even the one who did it." |
| In one, investigators told CNN that as they first entered the nightclub to account for the victims, cellphones continued ringing from all around the hall. | In one, investigators told CNN that as they first entered the nightclub to account for the victims, cellphones continued ringing from all around the hall. |
| Streaks of rainbow can be seen all around Orlando, especially in the line at the donation center #pulse #LGBTQ pic.twitter.com/8TlRVI1g5H | Streaks of rainbow can be seen all around Orlando, especially in the line at the donation center #pulse #LGBTQ pic.twitter.com/8TlRVI1g5H |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.59pm BST | at 6.59pm BST |
| 6.54pm BST | 6.54pm BST |
| 18:54 | 18:54 |
| My colleague Richard Luscombe is in Orlando and has met with survivors of the Pulse shooting, including one whose husband remains unaccounted for. | My colleague Richard Luscombe is in Orlando and has met with survivors of the Pulse shooting, including one whose husband remains unaccounted for. |
| Maria Arocha’s cousin Martin Torres, 33, went to Pulse with his husband Michael Morales but has not been heard from since. | Maria Arocha’s cousin Martin Torres, 33, went to Pulse with his husband Michael Morales but has not been heard from since. |
| Morales escaped with a bullet wound to his knee and is recovering in the Orlando Regional Medical Center. But of Torres, Arocha says, there is no word. | Morales escaped with a bullet wound to his knee and is recovering in the Orlando Regional Medical Center. But of Torres, Arocha says, there is no word. |
| “We’re just hoping and praying,” Arocha, 17, told the Guardian. | “We’re just hoping and praying,” Arocha, 17, told the Guardian. |
| “We’ve been to the hospital trying to find out anything we can but nobody knows anything. Michael is OK but we’re worried about Martin of course.” | “We’ve been to the hospital trying to find out anything we can but nobody knows anything. Michael is OK but we’re worried about Martin of course.” |
| Torres was at the club celebrating Puerto Rican heritage on Latin night and had been looking forward to a night out with his husband, excitedly posting about it in a Facebook post, Arocha said. He was not a regular at Pulse, she added. | Torres was at the club celebrating Puerto Rican heritage on Latin night and had been looking forward to a night out with his husband, excitedly posting about it in a Facebook post, Arocha said. He was not a regular at Pulse, she added. |
| Other reporters in the area are also hearing extraordinary accounts of the night from first responders, at least one of whom had family at the club. | Other reporters in the area are also hearing extraordinary accounts of the night from first responders, at least one of whom had family at the club. |
| orlando firefighters say they were woken up by injured people banging on the door. one firefighter's daughter was in the club at the time. | orlando firefighters say they were woken up by injured people banging on the door. one firefighter's daughter was in the club at the time. |