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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)
10.57pm BST
22:57
Minutes away from a planned vigil in Orlando, families have gathered at the Hampton Inn as Orlando’s health authorities asked them to, for updates on the condition of their loved ones.
The city has now released two more names to the public, and ages of the six victims identified so far: Edward Sotomayor Jr, 34; Stanley Almodovar III, 23; Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20; Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22; Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36; Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22.
Families sobbing, collapsing to ground outside Hampton Inn as they get updates on victims. #WFTV #PulseNightclub pic.twitter.com/wgiCxObJUA
RIGHT NOW: Several dozen people are arriving at #JoyMetropolitanChurch in #Orlando for a vigil. #PulseShooting #WFTV pic.twitter.com/KiQBWKat9q
10.29pm BST10.29pm BST
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Orlando police are warning about false reports that the death toll has risen, some coming from local reporters in the area.Orlando police are warning about false reports that the death toll has risen, some coming from local reporters in the area.
Pulse Shooting: The number of dead has NOT changed. It remains at 50. Please avoid erroneous reporting.Pulse Shooting: The number of dead has NOT changed. It remains at 50. Please avoid erroneous reporting.
Their colleagues in the sheriff’s department have also posted deputies at a local Islamic center, which has heard of threats to its members.Their colleagues in the sheriff’s department have also posted deputies at a local Islamic center, which has heard of threats to its members.
Two @OrangeCoSheriff deputies are posted outside the Islamic center of Orlando after reports of threats. pic.twitter.com/Bg40ofiA9xTwo @OrangeCoSheriff deputies are posted outside the Islamic center of Orlando after reports of threats. pic.twitter.com/Bg40ofiA9x
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What we know so farWhat we know so far
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Hospital officials are giving a press conference at The Center in Orlando, the medical center’s president speaking first.Hospital officials are giving a press conference at The Center in Orlando, the medical center’s president speaking first.
“We jumped into action this morning,” Tim Vargas tells reporters. “Through the next 24-48 hours as more victims names, we ask that the community … hug your loved ones because nothing matters more than that.”“We jumped into action this morning,” Tim Vargas tells reporters. “Through the next 24-48 hours as more victims names, we ask that the community … hug your loved ones because nothing matters more than that.”
There is a crisis hotline, he reminds everyone: 407-228-1446There is a crisis hotline, he reminds everyone: 407-228-1446
Reverend Nancy Wilson, moderator of metropolitan community churches worldwide, makes an impassioned plea for gun control. “How obvious can it be that we have to ban assault weapons in our country?”Reverend Nancy Wilson, moderator of metropolitan community churches worldwide, makes an impassioned plea for gun control. “How obvious can it be that we have to ban assault weapons in our country?”
And Hannah Willard, an official with Equality Florida, said the group has raised $416,000 for victims and their families.And Hannah Willard, an official with Equality Florida, said the group has raised $416,000 for victims and their families.
Center director Tim Vargas: Aren't enough words to express sorrow everyone is feeling. @Center_Orlando #pulse pic.twitter.com/jFN8Z5dz3xCenter director Tim Vargas: Aren't enough words to express sorrow everyone is feeling. @Center_Orlando #pulse pic.twitter.com/jFN8Z5dz3x
9.58pm BST9.58pm BST
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Resources for information and donationsResources for information and donations
Orlando authorities have provided a variety of numbers and resources for people to inquire about loved ones.Orlando authorities have provided a variety of numbers and resources for people to inquire about loved ones.
There is a city website that will update with names of victims after next of kin have been notified: you can access it here.There is a city website that will update with names of victims after next of kin have been notified: you can access it here.
There is also a hotline, 407.246.4357, for people to call if they believe a loved one was a victim.There is also a hotline, 407.246.4357, for people to call if they believe a loved one was a victim.
Mayor Buddy Dyer also tweeted: “Aspire Health [is] offering grief counselors through the Zebra Coalition 407.228.1448. LGBT Center on Mills is open with grief counselors.”Mayor Buddy Dyer also tweeted: “Aspire Health [is] offering grief counselors through the Zebra Coalition 407.228.1448. LGBT Center on Mills is open with grief counselors.”
Orlando Health is also offering services for people in search of loved ones. You can either go to a information point at the Hampton Inn at 43 W. Columbia in Orlando or call 407-246-4357.Orlando Health is also offering services for people in search of loved ones. You can either go to a information point at the Hampton Inn at 43 W. Columbia in Orlando or call 407-246-4357.
There are also blood banks around the US – many in the Orlando area are overwhelmed by donors and recommending that people return over the coming days. Others around the country are willing to take donations.There are also blood banks around the US – many in the Orlando area are overwhelmed by donors and recommending that people return over the coming days. Others around the country are willing to take donations.
O Positive, O Negative, and AB plasma donors are needed in Orlando. Call 1.888.936.6283 to figure out your closest location to a blood bank.O Positive, O Negative, and AB plasma donors are needed in Orlando. Call 1.888.936.6283 to figure out your closest location to a blood bank.
Independent organizations have also created services. Nonprofit Planting Peace, a LGBT rights group, has created a crowdfunding campaign to help with victims’ medical costs. CrowdRise has created a similar campaign to collect relief funds and to guide people to charitable causes.Independent organizations have also created services. Nonprofit Planting Peace, a LGBT rights group, has created a crowdfunding campaign to help with victims’ medical costs. CrowdRise has created a similar campaign to collect relief funds and to guide people to charitable causes.
Equality Florida has set up a @gofundme page to help the families of the victims of the #PulseNightclub shooting https://t.co/45RxYJXdDHEquality Florida has set up a @gofundme page to help the families of the victims of the #PulseNightclub shooting https://t.co/45RxYJXdDH
9.36pm BST9.36pm BST
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My colleague Ed Pilkington is in Orlando by the Pulse Club, where police continue to clear the area and hold families and reporters at bay. Heartbreaking stories also continue to drift out from behind the barrier, he reports.My colleague Ed Pilkington is in Orlando by the Pulse Club, where police continue to clear the area and hold families and reporters at bay. Heartbreaking stories also continue to drift out from behind the barrier, he reports.
Tragic news is still seeping through at the police cordon in South Orange Avenue in Orlando where the media are being held back about 200 metres from the Pulse nightclub, the black awning of which can be seen surrounded by emergency vehicles.Tragic news is still seeping through at the police cordon in South Orange Avenue in Orlando where the media are being held back about 200 metres from the Pulse nightclub, the black awning of which can be seen surrounded by emergency vehicles.
Three women, regular Pulse visitors who by a quirk were not there last night, have learnt via text message within the past 10 minutes that one of their close friends did not survive the massacre. “They didn’t make it, they didn’t make it,” the women said.Three women, regular Pulse visitors who by a quirk were not there last night, have learnt via text message within the past 10 minutes that one of their close friends did not survive the massacre. “They didn’t make it, they didn’t make it,” the women said.
Amy, 28, Xiomara and Janice Rivera, both 24, are visibly distraught when we talk. But above all they are angry. Angry that their community was picked on for no reason. Angry that while they wish nobody else any harm, they have themselves become targets. Angry that once again they will have to be looking behind their backs in case of another attack.Amy, 28, Xiomara and Janice Rivera, both 24, are visibly distraught when we talk. But above all they are angry. Angry that their community was picked on for no reason. Angry that while they wish nobody else any harm, they have themselves become targets. Angry that once again they will have to be looking behind their backs in case of another attack.
“There were never any problems in Pulse,” Amy said. “It was never dangerous. Gay people don’t care what straight people do in their beds, so why does it matter in ours.”“There were never any problems in Pulse,” Amy said. “It was never dangerous. Gay people don’t care what straight people do in their beds, so why does it matter in ours.”
“This was the first club I’d ever been to where we were welcomed. Everybody would dance with each other – straight, bixexual, trans, anything. It doesn’t matter who you were, everyone will love you in there,” said Rivera.“This was the first club I’d ever been to where we were welcomed. Everybody would dance with each other – straight, bixexual, trans, anything. It doesn’t matter who you were, everyone will love you in there,” said Rivera.
Xiomara said that “now we have to go in fear. We have to hope this doesn’t happen to us again. We aren’t bad human beings, we just love our own sex. So why so much hatred?”Xiomara said that “now we have to go in fear. We have to hope this doesn’t happen to us again. We aren’t bad human beings, we just love our own sex. So why so much hatred?”
9.21pm BST9.21pm BST
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Although hundreds if not thousands of Americans have turned out to donate blood for the hospitalized victims of the Orlando shooting, the FDA bans donations from gay men who have had sex in the last year, a rule first created during the HIV/Aids epidemic of the 1980s.Although hundreds if not thousands of Americans have turned out to donate blood for the hospitalized victims of the Orlando shooting, the FDA bans donations from gay men who have had sex in the last year, a rule first created during the HIV/Aids epidemic of the 1980s.
USA Today reports:USA Today reports:
In 2015, the policy changed to allow donations as long as men hadn’t had sex with other men in the previous 12 months. An advocacy group called National Gay Blood Drive said it supported the decision, that it was “still discriminatory.”In 2015, the policy changed to allow donations as long as men hadn’t had sex with other men in the previous 12 months. An advocacy group called National Gay Blood Drive said it supported the decision, that it was “still discriminatory.”
“While many gay and bisexual men will be eligible to donate their blood and help save lives under this 12-month deferral, countless more will continue to be banned solely on the basis of their sexual orientation and without medical or scientific reasoning,” the group said in a statement.“While many gay and bisexual men will be eligible to donate their blood and help save lives under this 12-month deferral, countless more will continue to be banned solely on the basis of their sexual orientation and without medical or scientific reasoning,” the group said in a statement.
Related: Gay men can't donate blood to victims of the Orlando shooting. That's absurd | John Paul BrammerRelated: Gay men can't donate blood to victims of the Orlando shooting. That's absurd | John Paul Brammer
Though LGBT groups protest the FDA’s ban, some have also created other ways to donate.Though LGBT groups protest the FDA’s ban, some have also created other ways to donate.
Equity Florida has set up a GoFundMe account to collect money for families of victims in Pulse nightclub shooting https://t.co/hnkGBVJczCEquity Florida has set up a GoFundMe account to collect money for families of victims in Pulse nightclub shooting https://t.co/hnkGBVJczC
9.04pm BST9.04pm BST
21:0421:04
Rory CarrollRory Carroll
In Los Angeles, Santa Monica police have arrested a man who had a car laden with weapons, explosive powder and camouflage gear, my colleague Rory Carroll reports.In Los Angeles, Santa Monica police have arrested a man who had a car laden with weapons, explosive powder and camouflage gear, my colleague Rory Carroll reports.
Early on Sunday morning police in Santa Monica, a few miles west of Hollywood, reportedly intercepted a car with Indiana license plates containing assault rifles, lots of ammunition and tannerite, a material used in pipe bombs.Early on Sunday morning police in Santa Monica, a few miles west of Hollywood, reportedly intercepted a car with Indiana license plates containing assault rifles, lots of ammunition and tannerite, a material used in pipe bombs.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the man said he planned to attend the parade. Authorities made no immediate connection to the massacre at the gay club in Florida.The Los Angeles Times reported that the man said he planned to attend the parade. Authorities made no immediate connection to the massacre at the gay club in Florida.
Eric Garcetti, LA’s mayor said a neighbourhood tip led Santa Monica to detain the “heavily armed” man but that authorities believed he was “completely unrelated” to the Orlando massacre.Eric Garcetti, LA’s mayor said a neighbourhood tip led Santa Monica to detain the “heavily armed” man but that authorities believed he was “completely unrelated” to the Orlando massacre.
The mayor struck a defiant tone just before the parade got underway on a warm, overcast morning, saying it was safe and protected.The mayor struck a defiant tone just before the parade got underway on a warm, overcast morning, saying it was safe and protected.
“We will not shrink away … we will not go back to the closets. We are out here to march, to celebrate and to mourn. Today we know we are targeted as Americans because this s a society where we love broadly. We are white, black, brown, Asian, native american, the whole spectrum.”“We will not shrink away … we will not go back to the closets. We are out here to march, to celebrate and to mourn. Today we know we are targeted as Americans because this s a society where we love broadly. We are white, black, brown, Asian, native american, the whole spectrum.”
He continued: “We are Orlando, we are Americans, we are all LGBT community members today, we are all part of a country that will not be beaten down. We will not go away. And today we are proud of who we are.”He continued: “We are Orlando, we are Americans, we are all LGBT community members today, we are all part of a country that will not be beaten down. We will not go away. And today we are proud of who we are.”
Expressions of defiance, pride and solidarity – and anxiety - lit up social media.Expressions of defiance, pride and solidarity – and anxiety - lit up social media.
A Santa Monica police spokeswoman did not immediately confirm the reports of the weapon-laden car. “As of now nothing has been confirmed. We have nothing further.”A Santa Monica police spokeswoman did not immediately confirm the reports of the weapon-laden car. “As of now nothing has been confirmed. We have nothing further.”
However the FBI confirmed it was assisting with an arrest made by Santa Monica police.However the FBI confirmed it was assisting with an arrest made by Santa Monica police.
Not even terrorism will keep us from this party. #LAPRIDENot even terrorism will keep us from this party. #LAPRIDE
8.52pm BST8.52pm BST
20:5220:52
First victims namedFirst victims named
Orlando police have released the first four names of victims. The city will update the list of named victims on the site linked here, after authorities notify next of kin.Orlando police have released the first four names of victims. The city will update the list of named victims on the site linked here, after authorities notify next of kin.
The first four named are Edward Sotomayor Jr, Stanley Almodovar III, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, Juan Ramon Guerrero.The first four named are Edward Sotomayor Jr, Stanley Almodovar III, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, Juan Ramon Guerrero.
Pastor Annette Stubbs prays for the lives lost last night at #pulse #pulseshooting #pulsenightclub #orlando pic.twitter.com/t8naICQM6lPastor Annette Stubbs prays for the lives lost last night at #pulse #pulseshooting #pulsenightclub #orlando pic.twitter.com/t8naICQM6l
Related: 'We're just praying': Friends and family wait for news after Orlando shootingRelated: 'We're just praying': Friends and family wait for news after Orlando shooting
8.42pm BST8.42pm BST
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Ed PilkingtonEd 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.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.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.“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.”“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.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.”“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.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.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?”“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
FBI interviewed suspect 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 8.45pm BST
8.14pm BST
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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
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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
20:02
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.
“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.”
Senator Marco Rubio #PulseShooting pic.twitter.com/HocZm1r1tQ
7.49pm BST
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What we know
Updated
at 7.52pm BST
7.24pm BST
19:24
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.
Statement from G4S, security company that employed #OrlandoShooting suspect Omar Mateen pic.twitter.com/9BnigdmyZK
7.15pm BST
19:15
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.
“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.
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.”
“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.”
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
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
at 7.20pm BST
7.09pm BST
19:09
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.
“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”.
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.”
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 will go wherever the facts lead us.”
Updated
at 7.18pm BST
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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.
“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.”
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.
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.
Streaks of rainbow can be seen all around Orlando, especially in the line at the donation center #pulse #LGBTQ pic.twitter.com/8TlRVI1g5H
Updated
at 6.59pm BST
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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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.