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Orlando shootings: 'No clear evidence' of IS link Orlando shootings: 'No clear evidence' of IS link
(about 1 hour later)
There is no clear evidence that the Orlando shooter was directed by the so-called Islamic State group (IS), US President Barack Obama has said. There is no clear evidence that the Orlando gunman was directed by the so-called Islamic State group (IS), US President Barack Obama has said.
The inquiry into Sunday morning's attack, in which 49 people were killed, was being treated as a terrorist investigation, he said. But the inquiry into the attack on the Pulse gay night club, in which 49 people were killed, is being treated as a terrorist investigation, he added.
US authorities say gunman Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to IS shortly before the attack. The US authorities say gunman Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to IS shortly before the attack in Florida.
However, the extent of his links to IS remains unclear.However, the extent of his links to IS remains unclear.
Speaking in Washington, the president said: "It does appear that at the last minute he [gunman Omar Mateen] announced allegiance to Isil [IS].Speaking in Washington, the president said: "It does appear that at the last minute he [gunman Omar Mateen] announced allegiance to Isil [IS].
"But there is no evidence so far that he was in fact directed."But there is no evidence so far that he was in fact directed.
"This is certainly an example of the kind of home-grown extremism that all of us have been concerned about for a very long time," Mr Obama said. "This is certainly an example of the kind of home-grown extremism that all of us have been concerned about for a very long time."
Live updatesLive updates
How attacks unfoldedHow attacks unfolded
Who was Omar Mateen?Who was Omar Mateen?
Orlando shooting: Special reportOrlando shooting: Special report
The deadliest mass shooting in recent US history ended when police shot Mateen dead. The attack also left 53 people injured.The deadliest mass shooting in recent US history ended when police shot Mateen dead. The attack also left 53 people injured.
Orlando Regional Medical Centre said on Monday that a number of the victims being treated there remained critically ill, and five patients were in a grave condition.Orlando Regional Medical Centre said on Monday that a number of the victims being treated there remained critically ill, and five patients were in a grave condition.
The investigation
FBI Director James Comey said there were "strong indications of radicalisation" by the killer and of "potential inspiration by foreign terrorist organisations".
In phone calls to the authorities from the nightclub, Mateen said he was carrying out the attack for IS but he also pledged allegiance to a suicide bomber for the al-Nusra Front group in Syria, and to the perpetrators of the Boston Marathon bombing, none of whom were linked to IS.
Investigators are going through the killer's life, and especially his electronic devices, to try to understand his motivation, Mr Comey said.
The FBI director declined to use the gunman's name, as "part of what motivates sick people to do this kind of thing" was a desire for fame, he said.
"We are also working to understand what role anti-gay bigotry played in this attack," Mr Comey said.
Mr Comey detailed his organisation's prior contact with Mateen, and defended the FBI's investigations into him.
"I don't see anything in reviewing our work that our agents should have done differently," Mr Comey said, while promising transparency over the issue.
What happened on the night?What happened on the night?
Earlier on Monday, Florida officials gave details of the attack at the Pulse nightclub early on Sunday. Mateen began shooting inside the club around 02:00 (06:00 GMT) on Sunday, when the club was holding a Latin night and was packed with revellers.
An off-duty officer working at the club had initially fought Mateen in a gun battle. Shortly after, more police officers arrived. An off-duty officer working fought Mateen in a gun battle before police reinforcements arrived.
They engaged Mateen, forcing him to retreat to the toilet, where he was holding hostages, Orlando police chief John Mina said. Forced to retreat into a toilet, Mateen took hostages, Orlando police chief John Mina said.
Police were able to rescue "dozens and dozens" of people from the nightclub, some of them injured, once the gunman had retreated to the toilet, he said. Another 15 or so people were in another toilet, across the hallway, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.
Mateen phoned the police from the toilet, Mr Mina said, and made a pledge of allegiance to the so-called Islamic State group (IS) while speaking to them. Believing Mateen would kill again imminently, police used explosives and an armoured vehicle to break through a wall of the building and survivors began streaming through the hole they had created.
Chief Mina said that statements made by the suspect while he was holed up in the toilet, and information from people trapped inside, had convinced police that further loss of life was imminent. Mateen himself followed them out shooting and was killed, police say.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said the shooter and some hostages were in one toilet, and another 15 or so people were in another, across the hallway.
After officers broke through the exterior wall, hostages came out through the opening, the mayor said.
Mateen himself followed them out shooting and was killed, he added.
Who were the victims?Who were the victims?
So far, 36 victims have been named: 32 men and four women. They include:So far, 36 victims have been named: 32 men and four women. They include:
Read more on the victims hereRead more on the victims here
LGBT community under siegeLGBT community under siege
Cities around the world have been flying rainbow gay pride flags and illuminating buildings in solidarity with the victims of the shooting in Florida.
A London vigil was being planned for Old Compton Street in the heart of Soho.