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| Florida nightclub shooting: 50 killed and 53 injured in 'act of terror' – rolling updates | Florida nightclub shooting: 50 killed and 53 injured in 'act of terror' – rolling updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.30pm BST | |
| 16:30 | |
| What we know so far | |
| Approximately 50 people have been killed and 53 hospitalised after a shooting at a LGBT nightclub in Orlando. | |
| 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. It is also one of the deadliest shootings on US soil. | |
| Police initially announced that there were roughly 20 dead and 42 injured. At the time they did not have complete access to the night club, which they were still trying to make sure was clear of potential explosive devices. But after securing the night club they announced the death toll was dramatically higher than originally thought. | |
| 4.17pm BST | |
| 16:17 | |
| Police have set up a hotline for family members who believe their loved ones might have been caught up in the attacks. | |
| Police are still trying to identify all victims at the night club and hospital. | |
| Hotline: 407-246-4357 | |
| 4.11pm BST | |
| 16:11 | |
| “It’s a tragedy of unimaginable proportions,” Mayor Buddy Dyer told Wesh-TV. “My heart goes out to the victims, their families. But we’re a strong resilient community.” | |
| Dyer, who has been mayor of Orlando for 14 years, says he’s “never seen anything like this, I hope no mayor ever has to see anything like this.” | |
| Dyer praised the first responders on the scene and said he believes their actions, particularly that of the police officer who initially exchanged fire with the gunman at the club, saved lives. | |
| “There are still individuals in hospitals in serious conditions, we need to pray for them,” said Dyer, who would not be drawn on potential motives for the crime. | |
| “We don’t want to speculate at this point,” he said. | |
| 4.02pm BST | 4.02pm BST |
| 16:02 | 16:02 |
| Blood donations sought in 'mass casualty plan' | |
| 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”. | 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. | 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. | “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. | 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. | 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: | A preliminary list of sites where people can go to give blood is below: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.39pm BST | |
| 3.49pm BST | 3.49pm BST |
| 15:49 | 15:49 |
| State of emergency declared - Orlando mayor | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | “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.” | “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. | 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. | “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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.38pm BST | |
| 3.24pm BST | 3.24pm BST |
| 15:24 | 15:24 |
| 50 dead, 53 wounded in attack, says mayor | 50 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. | 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. | “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.” | 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. | “It’s absolutely terrible, 50 casualties, one location, it’s absolutely one of the worst tragedies we’ve seen,” he said. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.42pm BST | at 3.42pm BST |
| 3.18pm BST | 3.18pm BST |
| 15:18 | 15:18 |
| Martin Pengelly | Martin 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.” |
| 3.04pm BST | 3.04pm BST |
| 15:04 | 15:04 |
| Shooter identified as Omar Mateen | Shooter 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. |
| 3.00pm BST | 3.00pm BST |
| 15:00 | 15:00 |
| 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 acto | Desperté con la devastadora noticia de FL. Mientras esperamos más información,mis pensamientos están con los afectados de este horrible acto |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.09pm BST | at 3.09pm BST |
| 2.37pm BST | 2.37pm BST |
| 14:37 | 14:37 |
| 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 BST | 2.20pm BST |
| 14:20 | 14:20 |
| 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.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.32pm BST | at 2.32pm BST |
| 2.18pm BST | 2.18pm BST |
| 14:18 | 14:18 |
| 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. |
| 2.00pm BST | 2.00pm BST |
| 14:00 | 14:00 |
| 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.28pm BST | at 2.28pm BST |
| 1.48pm BST | 1.48pm BST |
| 13:48 | 13:48 |
| 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 like | Related: 1,052 mass shootings in 1,066 days: this is what America's gun crisis looks like |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.57pm BST | at 1.57pm BST |
| 1.18pm BST | 1.18pm BST |
| 13:18 | 13:18 |
| 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 BST | 12.56pm BST |
| 12:56 | 12:56 |
| What we know so far | What 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.03pm BST | at 2.03pm BST |