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Florida nightclub shooting: about 20 killed in 'act of terror', say police – rolling updates Florida nightclub shooting: 50 killed and 53 injured in 'act of terror' – rolling updates
(35 minutes later)
4.02pm BST
16:02
Michael Cheatham, a surgeon with Orlando Health, told the press briefing that local hospitals had implemented the “mass casualty plan” after the shooting and spent the morning operating on a number of victims, “many of them critically ill as a result of their injuries”.
He asked people to consider donating blood as a way of assisting in the wake of the attack.
“Blood is a wonderful gift. That can be arranged through local blood banks, don’t come to the local hospitals,” said Cheatham.
OneBlood, an organisation that promotes and facilitates blood donation, announced there was an urgent need for O Negative, O Postive and AB Plasma blood donors in the wake of the attack.
The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) is calling on the Muslim community to take part in a blood donation drive for those injured in the attack.
A preliminary list of sites where people can go to give blood is below:
Updated
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A state of emergency has been declared across the city of Orlando, Mayor Dyer has announced, to allow law enforcement officials to focus on the investigation of the shooting at Pulse night club overnight.
Speaking at a press conference near the site of the shooting, law enforcement officials gave an update on the process of the investigation.
Police said the focus was on securing the night club and the surrounding area, including the suspect’s vehicle, a van parked outside the club. Once these areas were secure, they would be able to start removing bodies and notifying family members.
“In the last few hours, the members of law enforcement community have been working diligently to make certain we did not have any secondary type devices,” said Sheriff Jerry Demings.
“That process has taken an extended period of time. That’s why we have not been able to remove all the victims from the crisis site. We probably have another hour to two before we secure the site.”
Police chief John Mina thanked the country for the outpouring of support.
“I want to commend the heroic and courageous actions of the first responders who were involved in an exchange of gunfire and the Swat team who were able to save up to 30 potential victims,” he said.
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50 dead, 53 wounded in attack, says mayor50 dead, 53 wounded in attack, says mayor
Mayor Dyer confirmed to a press conference that there were 50 killed and 53 hospitalised in the shooting, not 20 killed and 42 hospitalised as initially reported by police.Mayor Dyer confirmed to a press conference that there were 50 killed and 53 hospitalised in the shooting, not 20 killed and 42 hospitalised as initially reported by police.
John Mina, chief of police said that initially officers believed there were 20 dead. But now that they have been able to access the entirety of the building, they can confirm up to 50 people have been killed.
“There were more victims than originally thought. Once we were sure there were no devices and could go in confidently, we were able to see the number of victims,” said Mina.
Mina said these numbers meant the shooting ranked as “definitely one of the worst tragedies.”
“It’s absolutely terrible, 50 casualties, one location, it’s absolutely one of the worst tragedies we’ve seen,” he said.
UpdatedUpdated
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Martin PengellyMartin Pengelly
The New York Republican congressman Peter King, a member of the House homeland security committee and chairman of the sub-committee on counterterrorism and intelligence, has told CNN his sources have told him Omar Mateen, the suspect in the Orlando shooting who has been named by media outlets using anonymous sources, was “from Afghanistan and we believe he is trained in the use of weapons”.The New York Republican congressman Peter King, a member of the House homeland security committee and chairman of the sub-committee on counterterrorism and intelligence, has told CNN his sources have told him Omar Mateen, the suspect in the Orlando shooting who has been named by media outlets using anonymous sources, was “from Afghanistan and we believe he is trained in the use of weapons”.
This contradicts other reports, that the suspect’s family is from Afghanistan but he was born in America. The Guardian has not yet been able to confirm the identity of the suspect.This contradicts other reports, that the suspect’s family is from Afghanistan but he was born in America. The Guardian has not yet been able to confirm the identity of the suspect.
Asked if the suspect may have been affiliated with the Taliban or might have worked with US forces in Afghanistan, King said: “I really don’t want to go any further than that.”Asked if the suspect may have been affiliated with the Taliban or might have worked with US forces in Afghanistan, King said: “I really don’t want to go any further than that.”
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Shooter identified as Omar MateenShooter identified as Omar Mateen
Several news outlets have identified the gunman as Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old from Fort Pierce Florida.Several news outlets have identified the gunman as Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old from Fort Pierce Florida.
The Washington Post said his identity was confirmed by relatives and law enforcement officials, though Orlando police have not issued an official statement confirming the identity of the suspect.The Washington Post said his identity was confirmed by relatives and law enforcement officials, though Orlando police have not issued an official statement confirming the identity of the suspect.
The shooter was killed during a shootout with police, as they broke into the night club to rescue 30 people held hostage there. No motive for the attack has been offered by police.The shooter was killed during a shootout with police, as they broke into the night club to rescue 30 people held hostage there. No motive for the attack has been offered by police.
The Guardian has not been able to independently verify the identity of the shooter.The Guardian has not been able to independently verify the identity of the shooter.
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Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have both taken to Twitter in response to the shooting in Orlando.Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have both taken to Twitter in response to the shooting in Orlando.
Really bad shooting in Orlando. Police investigating possible terrorism. Many people dead and wounded.Really bad shooting in Orlando. Police investigating possible terrorism. Many people dead and wounded.
Clinton expressed her concern over the shooting in both English and Spanish. The shooting took place during the night club’s Latin night and there appear to have been a number of Spanish-speaking Americans among the victims.Clinton expressed her concern over the shooting in both English and Spanish. The shooting took place during the night club’s Latin night and there appear to have been a number of Spanish-speaking Americans among the victims.
Desperté con la devastadora noticia de FL. Mientras esperamos más información,mis pensamientos están con los afectados de este horrible actoDesperté con la devastadora noticia de FL. Mientras esperamos más información,mis pensamientos están con los afectados de este horrible acto
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.09pm BSTat 3.09pm BST
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Police press conference has been pushed back 45 minutes. We’ll keep an eye on it and let you know what’s said.Police press conference has been pushed back 45 minutes. We’ll keep an eye on it and let you know what’s said.
Next media update is pushed to 10:15 am. Same location.Next media update is pushed to 10:15 am. Same location.
2.20pm BST2.20pm BST
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Barack Obama’s press secretary has issued a statement:Barack Obama’s press secretary has issued a statement:
“The President was briefed this morning by Lisa Monaco, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, on the tragic shooting in Orlando, Florida. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims. The President asked to receive regular updates as the FBI, and other federal officials, work with the Orlando Police to gather more information, and directed that the federal government provide any assistance necessary to pursue the investigation and support the community.”“The President was briefed this morning by Lisa Monaco, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, on the tragic shooting in Orlando, Florida. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims. The President asked to receive regular updates as the FBI, and other federal officials, work with the Orlando Police to gather more information, and directed that the federal government provide any assistance necessary to pursue the investigation and support the community.”
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Terry DeCarlo from the GLBT Community Center of Orlando announced that they will be providing counselling, in person or by phone, to those affected by the night’s events.Terry DeCarlo from the GLBT Community Center of Orlando announced that they will be providing counselling, in person or by phone, to those affected by the night’s events.
In an emotional interview with local television station Wesh, DeCarlo said: “How can you not say that this was an attack on the LGBT community when it’s done in an LGBT club and a shooter walks in and there are 20 of your community members lying in a club and another 40 lying on hospital gurneys.”In an emotional interview with local television station Wesh, DeCarlo said: “How can you not say that this was an attack on the LGBT community when it’s done in an LGBT club and a shooter walks in and there are 20 of your community members lying in a club and another 40 lying on hospital gurneys.”
Pulse night club is described as “Orlando’s premier gay night club” and the attack took place on the club’s Latin night. Witnesses have described Pulse as “upmarket” and a place that attracted a diverse crowd.Pulse night club is described as “Orlando’s premier gay night club” and the attack took place on the club’s Latin night. Witnesses have described Pulse as “upmarket” and a place that attracted a diverse crowd.
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Many people have spent the early hours of the morning waiting outside local hospitals, some of which have been in “lockdown” since the shooting, admitting only patients and essential personnel.Many people have spent the early hours of the morning waiting outside local hospitals, some of which have been in “lockdown” since the shooting, admitting only patients and essential personnel.
At this time, our facilities are currently under lockdown. Only essential workers are being allowed access.At this time, our facilities are currently under lockdown. Only essential workers are being allowed access.
Forty-two people were confirmed injured in the attack and brought to nearby hospitals. People who believe their family member may be among the injured are now being told by the Orlando Regional Medical Centers to come to the hospital to locate them. The ORMC facilities are no longer under lockdown, but family members will need to bring identification with them to the hospital.Forty-two people were confirmed injured in the attack and brought to nearby hospitals. People who believe their family member may be among the injured are now being told by the Orlando Regional Medical Centers to come to the hospital to locate them. The ORMC facilities are no longer under lockdown, but family members will need to bring identification with them to the hospital.
If you believe an immediate family member may be in the hospital, please come to the main entrance of ORMC’s new north tower. ID required.If you believe an immediate family member may be in the hospital, please come to the main entrance of ORMC’s new north tower. ID required.
UpdatedUpdated
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If police chief John Mina’s estimate proves accurate that about 20 people were killed in the Orlando shooting, it already ranks as one of the deadliest in American history.If police chief John Mina’s estimate proves accurate that about 20 people were killed in the Orlando shooting, it already ranks as one of the deadliest in American history.
Related: 1,052 mass shootings in 1,066 days: this is what America's gun crisis looks likeRelated: 1,052 mass shootings in 1,066 days: this is what America's gun crisis looks like
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The Orlando police department has announced another press conference for 9.30am ET, likely to be held in conjunction with representatives from the FBI and the county sheriff’s department.The Orlando police department has announced another press conference for 9.30am ET, likely to be held in conjunction with representatives from the FBI and the county sheriff’s department.
Next press conference will be at 9:30 a.m. Same location.Next press conference will be at 9:30 a.m. Same location.
12.56pm BST12.56pm BST
12:5612:56
What we know so farWhat we know so far
A shooting at a LGBT nightclub in Orlando has killed about 20 people and sent 42 to the hospital, after Florida police and Swat teams ended a hostage situation with a gunman, killing him, in the early hours of of Sunday morning.A shooting at a LGBT nightclub in Orlando has killed about 20 people and sent 42 to the hospital, after Florida police and Swat teams ended a hostage situation with a gunman, killing him, in the early hours of of Sunday morning.
At a morning press conference the FBI described the shooting as an act of terrorism, saying: “Whether that’s a domestic terrorist activity or international, it’s terrorism.”At a morning press conference the FBI described the shooting as an act of terrorism, saying: “Whether that’s a domestic terrorist activity or international, it’s terrorism.”
The press conference also gave details how the shooting began, the raid, and what few details police know so far about the gunman.The press conference also gave details how the shooting began, the raid, and what few details police know so far about the gunman.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.03pm BSTat 2.03pm BST