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Orlando shooting: 'It's way too easy to kill people,' says Congressman, as 50 die in attack Orlando shooting: 'It's way too easy to kill people,' says Congressman, as 50 die in attack – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
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More details of the victims are emerging. Luis Vielma, aged 22, worked at Universal Orlando on the Harry Potter ride.
“He was always a friend you could call,” co-worker Josh Boesch told the Orlando Sentinel. “He was always open and available.”
Vielma was mourned by friends and family, but his death was also felt across the Atlantic by Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who expressed her grief on Twitter.
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My colleagues Ed Pilkington and Richard Luscombe have been reporting on how the suspected shooter Omar Mateen was allowed to buy weapons after he was interviewed twice by the FBI over his extremist views.
Related: Orlando nightclub massacre: questions over how killer slipped through FBI net
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Many thanks to everyone who has responded to our Guardian Witness callout. Here a couple of the contributions we have received so far:
Hundreds gather in Tulsa, Oklahoma to mourn Orlando attack
The event, organized by Oklahomans for Equality, began at the historic Club Majestic and concluded with a solemn outdoor candlelit procession to the Guthrie Green.
Sent via Guardian Witness
By Sarah Morice Brubaker
13 June 2016, 14:15
Melbourne memorial for Orlando: Rowena Allen
Victoria's equality commissioner, Ro Allen, leads a minute of silence for the victims of Orlando, pledges "We will not fight hate with hate."
Sent via Guardian Witness
By vanbadham
13 June 2016, 14:35
Hundreds gather in Melbourne to memorialise victims of orlando
Young people share stories of community at the Melborne Orlando memorial.
Sent via Guardian Witness
By vanbadham
13 June 2016, 14:38
You can share photos, videos or stories of vigils and reaction from where you are by clicking on the blue contribute button at the top of this blog.
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Names of ten victims releasedNames of ten victims released
The City of Orlando has confirmed the names of two more victims, bringing the total number of people identified to have died in the massacre to 10.The City of Orlando has confirmed the names of two more victims, bringing the total number of people identified to have died in the massacre to 10.
They are: Edward Sotomayor Jr, Stanley Almodovar III, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, Juan Ramon Guerrero, Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, Luis S. Vielma, Kimberly Morris, Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, Darryl Roman Burt II.They are: Edward Sotomayor Jr, Stanley Almodovar III, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, Juan Ramon Guerrero, Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, Luis S. Vielma, Kimberly Morris, Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, Darryl Roman Burt II.
The list includes Eddie Justice, who was missing after exchanging a series of texts with his mother pleading for help from inside a bathroom at the Pulse nightclub.
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Stories of survivalStories of survival
Richard Luscombe in Orlando has pulled together stories of those who managed to escape the carnage at Pulse nightclub.Richard Luscombe in Orlando has pulled together stories of those who managed to escape the carnage at Pulse nightclub.
Related: Orlando survivors: 'people were screaming and falling, the shots wouldn't stop'Related: Orlando survivors: 'people were screaming and falling, the shots wouldn't stop'
You’re sitting there having a great time at a club and you hear what sounds like fireworks and balloons popping, and you assume it’s part of the show,” one clubgoer who escaped the carnage told reporters. “And then you hear people start screaming, the sound doesn’t stop and people start falling, you realise it’s not a show any more. People were screaming and falling and the shots wouldn’t stop. You realise it’s not the celebration you thought it was.”You’re sitting there having a great time at a club and you hear what sounds like fireworks and balloons popping, and you assume it’s part of the show,” one clubgoer who escaped the carnage told reporters. “And then you hear people start screaming, the sound doesn’t stop and people start falling, you realise it’s not a show any more. People were screaming and falling and the shots wouldn’t stop. You realise it’s not the celebration you thought it was.”
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British papers are also carrying news of the shooting on their front pages.British papers are also carrying news of the shooting on their front pages.
The Guardian front page, Monday 13 June 2016: Massacre in Orlando pic.twitter.com/0V0bnRHglRThe Guardian front page, Monday 13 June 2016: Massacre in Orlando pic.twitter.com/0V0bnRHglR
Tomorrow's front page: He swore allegiance to Isis then shot 50 dead #Tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/1lCeCVOdd3Tomorrow's front page: He swore allegiance to Isis then shot 50 dead #Tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/1lCeCVOdd3
Tomorrow's @independent front page #tomorrowspaperstoday To subscribe to the daily edition: https://t.co/XF8VnDpHYF pic.twitter.com/AXwjuuL1SdTomorrow's @independent front page #tomorrowspaperstoday To subscribe to the daily edition: https://t.co/XF8VnDpHYF pic.twitter.com/AXwjuuL1Sd
Tomorrow's Daily Telegraph front page: Isil wages war on gays in West pic.twitter.com/Gt8UWd3o8GTomorrow's Daily Telegraph front page: Isil wages war on gays in West pic.twitter.com/Gt8UWd3o8G
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The world reacts with horror at events in FlordiaThe world reacts with horror at events in Flordia
World leaders have spoken out in solidarity with the victims of the Orlando attack.World leaders have spoken out in solidarity with the victims of the Orlando attack.
Queen Elizabeth II sent her condolences via Twitter.Queen Elizabeth II sent her condolences via Twitter.
The Queen: "Prince Philip & I have been shocked by the events in Orlando. Our thoughts & prayers are with all those who have been affected"The Queen: "Prince Philip & I have been shocked by the events in Orlando. Our thoughts & prayers are with all those who have been affected"
Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull called the massacre a “terrorist, violent, hate-filled attack” and said that Australians conveyed their “deepest sympathies” to the relatives of those affected.Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull called the massacre a “terrorist, violent, hate-filled attack” and said that Australians conveyed their “deepest sympathies” to the relatives of those affected.
Afghan president Ashraf Ghani sent his condolences to the families.
“I unequivocally condemn the horrific attack in Orlando, Florida, USA. Nothing can justify killing of civilians,” he tweeted.
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Julia Carrie Wong is attending a vigil in San Francisco.Julia Carrie Wong is attending a vigil in San Francisco.
She writes:She writes:
Thousands of people gathered in one of the spiritual centers of thenation’s LGBT community - the Castro district in San Francisco - wherethey hugged, mourned, prayed, and sang below the iconic rainbow flagflying at half mast.“As a gay Latino man, I feel devastated by the loss,” said DavidCampos, a member of the city’s board of supervisors. “It’s hard tofind the words. That’s why we’re here.”The mood in the plaza was by turns somber and defiant as members ofthe city’s large LGBT community invoked the history of the strugglefor gay rights, promised to fight bigotry and homophobia, and spokeout against Islamophobia.“If the government tries to make this about Islam, I will go to mydeath fighting that,” said Sister Mary Timothy Simplicity, a member ofthe Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an order of drag-wearing nuns whocampaign for LGBT rights.“If our beautiful millennials learn anything from this I hope it’sthat we have a voice and need to use it,” he added. “I’m from the oldschool. Fucking queers fight back.”Thousands of people gathered in one of the spiritual centers of thenation’s LGBT community - the Castro district in San Francisco - wherethey hugged, mourned, prayed, and sang below the iconic rainbow flagflying at half mast.“As a gay Latino man, I feel devastated by the loss,” said DavidCampos, a member of the city’s board of supervisors. “It’s hard tofind the words. That’s why we’re here.”The mood in the plaza was by turns somber and defiant as members ofthe city’s large LGBT community invoked the history of the strugglefor gay rights, promised to fight bigotry and homophobia, and spokeout against Islamophobia.“If the government tries to make this about Islam, I will go to mydeath fighting that,” said Sister Mary Timothy Simplicity, a member ofthe Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an order of drag-wearing nuns whocampaign for LGBT rights.“If our beautiful millennials learn anything from this I hope it’sthat we have a voice and need to use it,” he added. “I’m from the oldschool. Fucking queers fight back.”
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The Empire State Building has gone dark in honour of the victims.The Empire State Building has gone dark in honour of the victims.
The Empire State Building tonight, in honor of the Orlando shooting victims: pic.twitter.com/VodZwHtBq4The Empire State Building tonight, in honor of the Orlando shooting victims: pic.twitter.com/VodZwHtBq4
While the spire of One World Trade Center lit up in rainbow colours.While the spire of One World Trade Center lit up in rainbow colours.
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Grieving relatives remember lost loved onesGrieving relatives remember lost loved ones
Relatives of the victims of the shooting have started to pay emotional tribute to them.Relatives of the victims of the shooting have started to pay emotional tribute to them.
Rosalie Ramos, the mother of 23-year-old Stanley Almodovar III who was shot three times inside the Pulse nightclub and died in hospital, told the Orlando Sentinel that she had prepared some food for her son for when he came home from the club. But he never did. Ramos said her son was a happy man with a big heart. His aunt described him as “an amazing person with a good soul”.Rosalie Ramos, the mother of 23-year-old Stanley Almodovar III who was shot three times inside the Pulse nightclub and died in hospital, told the Orlando Sentinel that she had prepared some food for her son for when he came home from the club. But he never did. Ramos said her son was a happy man with a big heart. His aunt described him as “an amazing person with a good soul”.
Friends of 36-year-old Eric Ivan Ortiz Rivera, who died inside the nightclub, said he was kind and selfless.Friends of 36-year-old Eric Ivan Ortiz Rivera, who died inside the nightclub, said he was kind and selfless.
“Eric was always willing to help everybody. He sacrificed himself a lot for his family,” his former roommate, Abismel Colon Gomez told the Sentinel. “He loved his brother, and he was always being generous.”“Eric was always willing to help everybody. He sacrificed himself a lot for his family,” his former roommate, Abismel Colon Gomez told the Sentinel. “He loved his brother, and he was always being generous.”
“My heart breaks,” Colon Gomez said. “We have seven friends who were there, and already we know three are dead.”“My heart breaks,” Colon Gomez said. “We have seven friends who were there, and already we know three are dead.”
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Reuters reports that Omar Mateen’s employers G4S screened him in 2013 and made “no findings”.
Mateen worked for global security company G4S since 2007, and was employed at a gated retirement community in South Florida, the company said in a statement late on Sunday.
He underwent two instances of company screening and background checks - once when he was hired in 2007, and again in 2013.
“The (2007) check revealed nothing of concern,” the company said in a statement. “His screening was repeated in 2013 with no findings.”
In 2013, the company learned that Mateen had been questioned by the FBI but that the inquiries were then closed.
“We were not made aware of any alleged connections between Mateen and terrorist activities, and were unaware of any further FBI investigations,” the company statement said.
Mateen was an armed security officer for G4S, and the company was trying to ascertain whether any guns used in the attack were related to Mateen’s work, said a spokesman who declined to be named.
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More front pages from the US press are coming out and – unsurprisingly – feature the attack in Orlando prominently.
The front page of The New York Times for Monday, June 13 pic.twitter.com/oqBo2QuXof
Monday's @TB_Times front page with coverage of the Orlando massacre. pic.twitter.com/nKIWY5ewFa
Monday's @MiamiHerald 1A. pic.twitter.com/jvo7CTDLeE
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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.
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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/IwF3SJhSst
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.
“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.
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.
“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.
“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.
Candles 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'
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.
The desperate exchange began at 2.06am when Eddie sent a message reading: “Mommy I love you.’’
‘‘In club they shooting.’’
As Justice tried frantically to contact her son he messaged he was: “Trapp in bathroom.”
“Pulse. Downtown. Call police.’’
Then, at 2.08am he wrote: “I’m gonna die.’’
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.’’
“He’s coming. I’m gonna die.”
When she asked if he was hurt he responded: “Lots. Yes.”
His final few messages read:
‘‘Still here in bathroom. He has us. They need to come get us.’’
“Hurry. He’s in the bathroom with us.’’
‘‘He’s a terror.’’
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.’’
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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.
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.
James Holmes also used this kind of weapon in his rampage at a cinema in Denver in 2012.