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Orlando shooting: 50 killed and 53 injured in 'act of terror' – latest updates Orlando shooting: 50 killed and 53 injured in 'act of terror' – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
4.10am BST
04:10
Rory Carroll reports from Los Angeles that the intentions and motives of a man found with a cache of weapons allegedly en route to LA’s gay pride parade are unclear.
Santa Monica’s police chief, Jacqueline Seabrooks, has walked back her initial claim that James Howell told police he intended “to harm” Sunday’s event.
“Inaccuracy confirmed. He said he was going to the event. Other information inaccurate,” she tweeted.
Any perception that the 20-year-old was planning a homophobic massacre took another knock when one of Howell’s friends, Joseph Greeson, 18, told the Los Angeles Times that Howell was bisexual and bore no ill will toward gays or lesbians.
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What we know
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Michael Safi is reporting on Omar Mateen’s ex-wife Sitora Yusifiy who divorced the shooting suspect after four months of marriage and says he had serious mental health problems.
He writes:
Sitora Yusifiy was married to Mateen for four months in 2009 until her family was forced to “literally rescue me” after he kept her “hostage”, she said on Sunday in Colorado.
“In the beginning he was a normal being that cared about family, loved to joke, loved to have fun,” Yusifiy said of Mateen, whom she had met online
“A few months after we were married I saw his instability, I saw his bipolar, and he would get mad out of nowhere, and that’s when I started worrying about my safety.
“Then after a few months he started abusing me physically, very often, and not allowing me to speak to my family, and keeping me hostage from them,” she said.
She said her family arrived to rescue her from Mateen “and had to pull me out of his arms”.
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Our video team have put together an explainer on the attack:
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The City of Orlando has updated the list of confirmed victims. So far, eight names have been released.The City of Orlando has updated the list of confirmed victims. So far, eight names have been released.
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Vigils are taking place in Orlando and across the country.Vigils are taking place in Orlando and across the country.
A candle burns at Lake Eola vigil honoring those lost in last night's tragedy #pulse #PulseShooting #orlandostrong pic.twitter.com/IwF3SJhSstA candle burns at Lake Eola vigil honoring those lost in last night's tragedy #pulse #PulseShooting #orlandostrong pic.twitter.com/IwF3SJhSst
Zach Stafford attended one in Nashville earlier. He reports:Zach Stafford attended one in Nashville earlier. He reports:
Hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil in Nashville as the Music City joined numerous other cities around the US in mourning.Hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil in Nashville as the Music City joined numerous other cities around the US in mourning.
“When I woke up this morning and saw the news, I saw yet again the harm a well armed individual can do with a twisted mind,” mayor Megan Barry said to the crowd of over 300 people outside city hall.“When I woke up this morning and saw the news, I saw yet again the harm a well armed individual can do with a twisted mind,” mayor Megan Barry said to the crowd of over 300 people outside city hall.
“It’s a tragedy...and it’s a tragedy that keeps happening,” she continued.“It’s a tragedy...and it’s a tragedy that keeps happening,” she continued.
The city of Nashville was one the few major US cities that quickly organized an official vigil for the local LGBT community to come together only hours after the news of the shooting gripped the nation.The city of Nashville was one the few major US cities that quickly organized an official vigil for the local LGBT community to come together only hours after the news of the shooting gripped the nation.
“We are standing with you this evening with a very heavy heart when another senseless act of bill eve was committed towards our LGBT community,” said a representative from the American Muslim Advisory Council, which the city’s mayor asked to attend to show interfaith unity as speculation over the Orlando shooter’s connection to Isis continues.“We are standing with you this evening with a very heavy heart when another senseless act of bill eve was committed towards our LGBT community,” said a representative from the American Muslim Advisory Council, which the city’s mayor asked to attend to show interfaith unity as speculation over the Orlando shooter’s connection to Isis continues.
“I want you all to know that as a Muslim I’m taught that all lives are sacred,” she said.“I want you all to know that as a Muslim I’m taught that all lives are sacred,” she said.
The event included local gay choir groups singing, a group prayer and the signing of a large card that will be sent to Orlando to show solidarity.The event included local gay choir groups singing, a group prayer and the signing of a large card that will be sent to Orlando to show solidarity.
“There are people who wake up everyday fear - fear that they will be killed for loving the person they love,” Barry said before the crowd lifted their candles to the sky for a moment of silence.“There are people who wake up everyday fear - fear that they will be killed for loving the person they love,” Barry said before the crowd lifted their candles to the sky for a moment of silence.
“And no one should live in fear,” she continued. The city will be lighting monuments around town this evening with rainbows.“And no one should live in fear,” she continued. The city will be lighting monuments around town this evening with rainbows.
Candles are being passed out as the city awaits the mayor to speak. pic.twitter.com/n50nhNppJTCandles are being passed out as the city awaits the mayor to speak. pic.twitter.com/n50nhNppJT
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'He's coming. I'm gonna die''He's coming. I'm gonna die'
The mother of one of the people trapped inside the Pulse nightclub while the attack took place has made public a string of harrowing text messages she received from her son while the shooting was unfolding.The mother of one of the people trapped inside the Pulse nightclub while the attack took place has made public a string of harrowing text messages she received from her son while the shooting was unfolding.
Mina Justice showed the heartbreaking series of messages that passed between herself and her son Eddie to the Associated Press.Mina Justice showed the heartbreaking series of messages that passed between herself and her son Eddie to the Associated Press.
The desperate exchange began at 2.06am when Eddie sent a message reading: “Mommy I love you.’’The desperate exchange began at 2.06am when Eddie sent a message reading: “Mommy I love you.’’
‘‘In club they shooting.’’‘‘In club they shooting.’’
As Justice tried frantically to contact her son he messaged he was: “Trapp in bathroom.”As Justice tried frantically to contact her son he messaged he was: “Trapp in bathroom.”
“Pulse. Downtown. Call police.’’“Pulse. Downtown. Call police.’’
Then, at 2.08am he wrote: “I’m gonna die.’’Then, at 2.08am he wrote: “I’m gonna die.’’
Justice called 911 and minutes passed with no response from Eddie.Justice called 911 and minutes passed with no response from Eddie.
At 2:39am he managed to get back in touch, pleading “Call them mommy. Now.’’At 2:39am he managed to get back in touch, pleading “Call them mommy. Now.’’
“He’s coming. I’m gonna die.”“He’s coming. I’m gonna die.”
When she asked if he was hurt he responded: “Lots. Yes.”When she asked if he was hurt he responded: “Lots. Yes.”
His final few messages read:His final few messages read:
‘‘Still here in bathroom. He has us. They need to come get us.’’‘‘Still here in bathroom. He has us. They need to come get us.’’
“Hurry. He’s in the bathroom with us.’’“Hurry. He’s in the bathroom with us.’’
‘‘He’s a terror.’’‘‘He’s a terror.’’
Justice has not heard from Eddie since 2.50am.Justice has not heard from Eddie since 2.50am.
‘‘His name has not come up yet and that’s scary. It’s just ...’’ told AP. ‘‘It’s just, I got this feeling. I got a bad feeling.’’‘‘His name has not come up yet and that’s scary. It’s just ...’’ told AP. ‘‘It’s just, I got this feeling. I got a bad feeling.’’
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Martin Farrer has some details on the rifle used by Mateen in the shooting:Martin Farrer has some details on the rifle used by Mateen in the shooting:
Law enforcement officials said Mateen used a semi-automatic AR-15 style assault rifle and pistol to kill to carry out his attack.Law enforcement officials said Mateen used a semi-automatic AR-15 style assault rifle and pistol to kill to carry out his attack.
An AR-15, which is an updated version of the M-16 military rifle, is similar to the weapons used in a string of previous mass shootings in the US.An AR-15, which is an updated version of the M-16 military rifle, is similar to the weapons used in a string of previous mass shootings in the US.
Adam Lanza used a Buckmaster Xm15 assault rifle to kill 28 school children and adults in the Sandy Hook massacre in 2012 while Tashfeen Malik and Syed Farook used two assault rifles and two pistols to kill 14 people in San Bernardino, California, in December 2015.Adam Lanza used a Buckmaster Xm15 assault rifle to kill 28 school children and adults in the Sandy Hook massacre in 2012 while Tashfeen Malik and Syed Farook used two assault rifles and two pistols to kill 14 people in San Bernardino, California, in December 2015.
James Holmes also used this kind of weapon in his rampage at a cinema in Denver in 2012.James Holmes also used this kind of weapon in his rampage at a cinema in Denver in 2012.
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Trump postpones rally in New HampshireTrump postpones rally in New Hampshire
Reports say Donald Trump has postponed a rally he was due to hold tomorrow in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He will, however, press ahead with a speech he was scheduled to deliver at St Anslem’s College. His campaign released a statement saying the speech, in which he was expected to focus on Hillary Clinton, would instead address “the threats facing all Americans”.Reports say Donald Trump has postponed a rally he was due to hold tomorrow in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He will, however, press ahead with a speech he was scheduled to deliver at St Anslem’s College. His campaign released a statement saying the speech, in which he was expected to focus on Hillary Clinton, would instead address “the threats facing all Americans”.
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'Hate will never win''Hate will never win'
Talkshow host James Corden has paid tribute to the victims of the shooting at the opening of the Tony Awards in New York. Many attendees of the awards arrived wearing silver ribbons in honour of the dead.Talkshow host James Corden has paid tribute to the victims of the shooting at the opening of the Tony Awards in New York. Many attendees of the awards arrived wearing silver ribbons in honour of the dead.
In his opening address, Corden addressed those targeted by the massacre:In his opening address, Corden addressed those targeted by the massacre:
On behalf of the whole theater community and every person in this room, our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity. All we can say is, you are not on your own right now. Your tragedy is our tragedy. Theater is a place where every race, creed, sexuality, and gender is equal, is embraced, and is loved. Hate will never win.On behalf of the whole theater community and every person in this room, our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity. All we can say is, you are not on your own right now. Your tragedy is our tragedy. Theater is a place where every race, creed, sexuality, and gender is equal, is embraced, and is loved. Hate will never win.
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Rubio: gun control 'would not have prevented attack'Rubio: gun control 'would not have prevented attack'
Florida senator and former Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio has told the BBC that there should be less focus on the weapons used in the attack on the Pulse nightclub, and more attention paid to the motivations behind it.Florida senator and former Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio has told the BBC that there should be less focus on the weapons used in the attack on the Pulse nightclub, and more attention paid to the motivations behind it.
Rubio said placing controls on firearms “wouldn’t have prevented this attack.”Rubio said placing controls on firearms “wouldn’t have prevented this attack.”
“These terrorists are committed people.”“These terrorists are committed people.”
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Martin Farrer has been pulling together some background on Mateen’s father.Martin Farrer has been pulling together some background on Mateen’s father.
Seddique Mir Mateen, the father of the alleged shooter, is reportedly a life insurance salesman with a high-profile social media presence in which he campaigns about Afghan politics.Seddique Mir Mateen, the father of the alleged shooter, is reportedly a life insurance salesman with a high-profile social media presence in which he campaigns about Afghan politics.
Mateen Sr, who lives in Florida, made occasional appearances on a satellite television channel called Payam-e-Afghan to host a show discussing Afghan politics. In one appearance he proclaimed himself as a ‘candidate to be the next president of Afghanistan’.Mateen Sr, who lives in Florida, made occasional appearances on a satellite television channel called Payam-e-Afghan to host a show discussing Afghan politics. In one appearance he proclaimed himself as a ‘candidate to be the next president of Afghanistan’.
Omar Khatab, the owner of the channel, said Seddique Mateen occasionally bought time on his channel to broadcast a show called Durand Jirga.Omar Khatab, the owner of the channel, said Seddique Mateen occasionally bought time on his channel to broadcast a show called Durand Jirga.
“Three or four times a year, he would show up in southern California,” Khatab told Associated Press in a phone interview on Sunday.“Three or four times a year, he would show up in southern California,” Khatab told Associated Press in a phone interview on Sunday.
“He’d talk for about two to three hours. He’d buy his own time and come here and broadcast and leave within a day.” Some of Seddique Mateen’s shows were taped and later posted on YouTube.“He’d talk for about two to three hours. He’d buy his own time and come here and broadcast and leave within a day.” Some of Seddique Mateen’s shows were taped and later posted on YouTube.
During one episode, a sign in the background read: “Long live the USA! Long live Afghanistan. ... Afghans are the best friends to the USA.”During one episode, a sign in the background read: “Long live the USA! Long live Afghanistan. ... Afghans are the best friends to the USA.”
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Reuters are live-streaming a vigil being held outside the White House.Reuters are live-streaming a vigil being held outside the White House.
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As usual, the New York Daily News doesn’t pull any punches with its front page.As usual, the New York Daily News doesn’t pull any punches with its front page.
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'It is way too easy to kill people in America''It is way too easy to kill people in America'
Alan Grayson, the Democratic representative for Florida’s 9th congressional district, has had some strong words to say about gun control in the wake of the shooting. Speaking to CNN he said:Alan Grayson, the Democratic representative for Florida’s 9th congressional district, has had some strong words to say about gun control in the wake of the shooting. Speaking to CNN he said:
If he was who he was and he was not able to buy a weapon that shoots over 700 rounds in a minute, all of these people would still be alive. If somebody like him had nothing worse than a Glock pistol he might have killed three or four people and not 50. It is way too easy to kill people in America today.If he was who he was and he was not able to buy a weapon that shoots over 700 rounds in a minute, all of these people would still be alive. If somebody like him had nothing worse than a Glock pistol he might have killed three or four people and not 50. It is way too easy to kill people in America today.
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Hello, Bonnie Malkin here, now taking over the blog from Alan Yuhas for the next few hours of what has been a terrible day in America. We are gathering more information on Omar Mateen and his victims and will feed in ongoing political reaction to the massacre.Hello, Bonnie Malkin here, now taking over the blog from Alan Yuhas for the next few hours of what has been a terrible day in America. We are gathering more information on Omar Mateen and his victims and will feed in ongoing political reaction to the massacre.
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What we knowWhat we know
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Gunman's ex-wife: 'he was disturbed'Gunman's ex-wife: 'he was disturbed'
Sitora Yusufiy, the ex-wife of the gunman is holding a press conference with her fiance in Boulder, Colorado.Sitora Yusufiy, the ex-wife of the gunman is holding a press conference with her fiance in Boulder, Colorado.
“My family literally rescued me, the night that they were there they had to pull me out of his arms,” she says of Omar Mateen. “I had cut him off, I blocked everything.”“My family literally rescued me, the night that they were there they had to pull me out of his arms,” she says of Omar Mateen. “I had cut him off, I blocked everything.”
She says that her family warned him to stay away or they would go to the authorities, and they made a police report after she left. It’s been seven to eight years since she last contacted him. She was married to Mateen for about four months, she adds, but left because of his emotional disturbances and physical abuse.She says that her family warned him to stay away or they would go to the authorities, and they made a police report after she left. It’s been seven to eight years since she last contacted him. She was married to Mateen for about four months, she adds, but left because of his emotional disturbances and physical abuse.
She’s asked about religion. “He did follow religion, he did practice. You know, he had his faith,” she says. “I don’t follow any one particular religion.”She’s asked about religion. “He did follow religion, he did practice. You know, he had his faith,” she says. “I don’t follow any one particular religion.”
Ex-wife of Orlando shooter describes him as violently and unstable; describes beatings #PulseNighClubShooting pic.twitter.com/ADKQqNS2N0Ex-wife of Orlando shooter describes him as violently and unstable; describes beatings #PulseNighClubShooting pic.twitter.com/ADKQqNS2N0
She says he went to shooting ranges and owned a gun, and worked as a correction officer at a juvenile delinquent center. “He wanted to be a police officer.”She says he went to shooting ranges and owned a gun, and worked as a correction officer at a juvenile delinquent center. “He wanted to be a police officer.”
“In the beginning he was a normal being that cared about family,” she says. “A few months after we were married I saw his instability, I saw that he was bipolar and would get mad out of nowhere. That’s when I started worrying about my safety.”“In the beginning he was a normal being that cared about family,” she says. “A few months after we were married I saw his instability, I saw that he was bipolar and would get mad out of nowhere. That’s when I started worrying about my safety.”
She says Mateen would “not allow me to speak to my family, keeping me hostage from them”.She says Mateen would “not allow me to speak to my family, keeping me hostage from them”.
Her family became concerned she adds, and like her saw “emotional instability, sickness, mentally, he was mentally unstable and mentally ill”.Her family became concerned she adds, and like her saw “emotional instability, sickness, mentally, he was mentally unstable and mentally ill”.
Her fiance insists Mateen’s attack was not about religion but about mental illness, and says no one expected this kind of violence from him. They “thought he was a man that was very confused and very troubled”, he says.Her fiance insists Mateen’s attack was not about religion but about mental illness, and says no one expected this kind of violence from him. They “thought he was a man that was very confused and very troubled”, he says.
“He was obviously disturbed,” his fiancee adds. “He would get in his tempers he would express hate toward things, toward everything.”“He was obviously disturbed,” his fiancee adds. “He would get in his tempers he would express hate toward things, toward everything.”
Finally she says that the attack represents everything she abhors and wants to work against. “To be some way affiliated in some part of my life with somebody who caused such a tragedy, its shook me off the ground,” she says.Finally she says that the attack represents everything she abhors and wants to work against. “To be some way affiliated in some part of my life with somebody who caused such a tragedy, its shook me off the ground,” she says.
She offers her sympathy and condolences for the victims and their loved. “That’s my biggest concern, and I pray for their healing and I pray for their peace, to find their peace.”She offers her sympathy and condolences for the victims and their loved. “That’s my biggest concern, and I pray for their healing and I pray for their peace, to find their peace.”
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