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Orlando shooting: funerals for victims begin as city continues to grieve Orlando shooting: funerals for victims begin as city continues to grieve
(2 months later)
The grim task of burying the dead has begun in Orlando, Florida, still reeling from the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil since 11 September 2001.The grim task of burying the dead has begun in Orlando, Florida, still reeling from the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil since 11 September 2001.
Among the funerals due to take place on Friday is that of Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, 25, a dancer and choreographer from Puerto Rico, according to Newcomer Funeral Homes. A day earlier, more than 150 relatives and friends mourned him at a wake.Among the funerals due to take place on Friday is that of Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, 25, a dancer and choreographer from Puerto Rico, according to Newcomer Funeral Homes. A day earlier, more than 150 relatives and friends mourned him at a wake.
As the grieving continued, so did the FBI investigation into the motives and movements of gunman Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old American of Afghan origin who killed 49 people and wounded 53 at the Pulse nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning.As the grieving continued, so did the FBI investigation into the motives and movements of gunman Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old American of Afghan origin who killed 49 people and wounded 53 at the Pulse nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Related: Orlando attack victims: the lives cut short in America's deadliest shooting
CNN reported on Friday that Mateen and his wife exchanged text messages during the attack, citing a law enforcement official it did not identify.CNN reported on Friday that Mateen and his wife exchanged text messages during the attack, citing a law enforcement official it did not identify.
At around 4am on Sunday, about two hours after he opened fire and while holed up in a bathroom, Mateen texted Noor Salman asking if she had seen the news, the network reported. She responded at one point with a text saying that she loved him.At around 4am on Sunday, about two hours after he opened fire and while holed up in a bathroom, Mateen texted Noor Salman asking if she had seen the news, the network reported. She responded at one point with a text saying that she loved him.
Salman also attempted to call Mateen several times after reports of the attack had emerged, apparently once she realised he might be the perpetrator, according to CNN’s sources. The Guardian could not verify the report.Salman also attempted to call Mateen several times after reports of the attack had emerged, apparently once she realised he might be the perpetrator, according to CNN’s sources. The Guardian could not verify the report.
Salman is under investigation over whether she knew about Mateen’s plan in advance and failed to warn police. Officials have refused to confirm whether criminal charges are imminent.Salman is under investigation over whether she knew about Mateen’s plan in advance and failed to warn police. Officials have refused to confirm whether criminal charges are imminent.
It also emerged this week that the gunman apparently went online to track reaction to the attack as it was happening. He searched for the terms “Pulse Orlando” and “shooting”, according to a letter released by a Senate committee, even as some victims lay bleeding to death in bathrooms.It also emerged this week that the gunman apparently went online to track reaction to the attack as it was happening. He searched for the terms “Pulse Orlando” and “shooting”, according to a letter released by a Senate committee, even as some victims lay bleeding to death in bathrooms.
Mateen also pledged allegiance to Islamic State on Facebook and in calls to the emergency 911 service, but officials have said they do not believe he was assisted from abroad in the attack.Mateen also pledged allegiance to Islamic State on Facebook and in calls to the emergency 911 service, but officials have said they do not believe he was assisted from abroad in the attack.
Orlando, bathed in the sunshine typically associated with its famed Walt Disney World resort and other theme parks, has been shaken by the tragedy. Funerals are expected to be held over the next two weeks.Orlando, bathed in the sunshine typically associated with its famed Walt Disney World resort and other theme parks, has been shaken by the tragedy. Funerals are expected to be held over the next two weeks.
Mournters for Kimberly “KJ” Morris, a bouncer at Pulse, gathered under a cemetery awning on Thursday afternoon. A montage of photos of Morris, 37, played on a television as friends and family lined up to say goodbye at her open-casket service, many with flower bouquets in hand, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Most had purple fans with KJ’s name printed on them.Mournters for Kimberly “KJ” Morris, a bouncer at Pulse, gathered under a cemetery awning on Thursday afternoon. A montage of photos of Morris, 37, played on a television as friends and family lined up to say goodbye at her open-casket service, many with flower bouquets in hand, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Most had purple fans with KJ’s name printed on them.
“She was such a great person and so full of life,” ex-girlfriend Starr Shelton told the paper. “I can truly say heaven has gained an angel.”“She was such a great person and so full of life,” ex-girlfriend Starr Shelton told the paper. “I can truly say heaven has gained an angel.”
In nearby Apopka, dozens gathered at a candlelight vigil for victim Eddie Justice, who texted his mother while trapped in the Pulse bathroom. Alison Moore, 53, who witnessed Justice’s birth, told the Associated Press: “It’s like a part of my heart was missing. He and his sister were my heart, and when he died it took my heart away.”In nearby Apopka, dozens gathered at a candlelight vigil for victim Eddie Justice, who texted his mother while trapped in the Pulse bathroom. Alison Moore, 53, who witnessed Justice’s birth, told the Associated Press: “It’s like a part of my heart was missing. He and his sister were my heart, and when he died it took my heart away.”
More than 300 people, including Florida’s governor, Rick Scott, attended a viewing for Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, Reuters reported. Puerto Rican-born Ortiz-Rivera was shot dead during a night of dancing to celebrate a friend’s new house. The 36-year-old’s husband had stayed at home that night in the couple’s apartment.More than 300 people, including Florida’s governor, Rick Scott, attended a viewing for Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, Reuters reported. Puerto Rican-born Ortiz-Rivera was shot dead during a night of dancing to celebrate a friend’s new house. The 36-year-old’s husband had stayed at home that night in the couple’s apartment.
“He was in a Snapchat video that’s out there, dancing away, so we know he had some fun before the madness,” his cousin, Orlando Gonzalez, was quoted as saying.“He was in a Snapchat video that’s out there, dancing away, so we know he had some fun before the madness,” his cousin, Orlando Gonzalez, was quoted as saying.
A wake will be held on Friday evening for student Cory Connell, 21, with a funeral to follow on Saturday morning at West Orlando Baptist church. Well-wishers have been invited to donate to the family’s expenses via a gofundme page.A wake will be held on Friday evening for student Cory Connell, 21, with a funeral to follow on Saturday morning at West Orlando Baptist church. Well-wishers have been invited to donate to the family’s expenses via a gofundme page.
His sister, Ashley Connell, wrote on Facebook: “This was never [supposed] to happen to you and I have no idea how I will ever be able to accept this. This will never be easy and I will forever have you in my heart.His sister, Ashley Connell, wrote on Facebook: “This was never [supposed] to happen to you and I have no idea how I will ever be able to accept this. This will never be easy and I will forever have you in my heart.
“I can’t wait to share all the wonderful memories that we have with my son. I know you loved him so much and he will know that. I love my brother so much and I’m missing you dearly. You are my hero Cory Connell.”“I can’t wait to share all the wonderful memories that we have with my son. I know you loved him so much and he will know that. I love my brother so much and I’m missing you dearly. You are my hero Cory Connell.”
Mayor Buddy Dyer of Orlando said on Friday that members of 94 families with relatives among the dead and wounded have visited a downtown football stadium where civil agencies are proving relief services.Mayor Buddy Dyer of Orlando said on Friday that members of 94 families with relatives among the dead and wounded have visited a downtown football stadium where civil agencies are proving relief services.
Dyer said he would go to the funerals that families asked him to attend. “I will ask the community to do the same,” he said. “These are private ceremonies; people are hurting.”Dyer said he would go to the funerals that families asked him to attend. “I will ask the community to do the same,” he said. “These are private ceremonies; people are hurting.”
Dyer said the city is altering its plans for the OneOrlando fund, which has already drawn commitments of more than $7m and was originally intended to go to nonprofit organisations for distribution. He said the city now plans to provide funding directly to those affected. “It became very clear early on that there were families … in need of compensation in a very quick fashion.”Dyer said the city is altering its plans for the OneOrlando fund, which has already drawn commitments of more than $7m and was originally intended to go to nonprofit organisations for distribution. He said the city now plans to provide funding directly to those affected. “It became very clear early on that there were families … in need of compensation in a very quick fashion.”
People continued to place tributes at a makeshift memorial where Barack Obama laid flowers and made remarks on Thursday after meeting affected families. “I held and hugged grieving family members and parents, and they asked, ‘Why does this keep happening?’” the president said.People continued to place tributes at a makeshift memorial where Barack Obama laid flowers and made remarks on Thursday after meeting affected families. “I held and hugged grieving family members and parents, and they asked, ‘Why does this keep happening?’” the president said.
He urged Congress to pass measures to make it harder to legally acquire high-powered weapons like the semi-automatic rifle used in the attack. The Senate is expected to vote on Monday on four proposals for gun restrictions.He urged Congress to pass measures to make it harder to legally acquire high-powered weapons like the semi-automatic rifle used in the attack. The Senate is expected to vote on Monday on four proposals for gun restrictions.
Mateen carried out the slaughter with the rifle and a handgun that had been legally purchased although he had twice been investigated by the FBI for possible connections with militant Islamist groups.Mateen carried out the slaughter with the rifle and a handgun that had been legally purchased although he had twice been investigated by the FBI for possible connections with militant Islamist groups.
The Human Rights Campaign, a lesbian and gay civil rights organisation, called for the adoption of commonsense gun violence prevention measures, including limiting access to assault-style rifles, expanding background checks and limiting the ability of suspected terrorists to access guns.The Human Rights Campaign, a lesbian and gay civil rights organisation, called for the adoption of commonsense gun violence prevention measures, including limiting access to assault-style rifles, expanding background checks and limiting the ability of suspected terrorists to access guns.
President Chad Griffin said: “Forty-nine members of our community were murdered on Sunday morning because of a toxic combination of two things: a deranged, unstable individual who had been conditioned to hate LGBTQ people, and easy access to military-style guns. It is imperative that we address both issues in order to mitigate safety risk to our community.”President Chad Griffin said: “Forty-nine members of our community were murdered on Sunday morning because of a toxic combination of two things: a deranged, unstable individual who had been conditioned to hate LGBTQ people, and easy access to military-style guns. It is imperative that we address both issues in order to mitigate safety risk to our community.”
Twenty-three of the 53 injured remain hospitalised, six in critical condition, according to the Orlando regional medical center.Twenty-three of the 53 injured remain hospitalised, six in critical condition, according to the Orlando regional medical center.