50 Dead, 53 Wounded in Orlando
At about 2 a.m. this morning, shots ranged out. An officer working extra duty in full uniform at the club responded.
CNN reports that the he and two other officers nearby opened fire on the shooter, and a gun battle ensues. The shooter went inside the club, where a hostage situation developed.
Some 100 officers from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Orlando Police Department respond to the chaotic scene. At about 2:22 a.m. the shooter called 911 to pledge allegiance to ISIS. He also mentioned the Boston Marathon bombers.
It was around 5 a.m. when heavily armed SWAT team members use an armored vehicle to smash down a door at the club, clearing the way for some 30 people inside to flee to safety. SWAT officers confronted the suspect in the doorway, shoot and kill him. One officer was injured.
Orlando Police Chief John Mina stated that the shooter was armed with an assault-type rifle and a handgun.
Authorities have identified the shooter as Omar Saddiqui Mateen, 29, of Fort Pierce, Florida. June 6th started the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. A top ISIS official issued a call for attacks throughout the world during Ramadan. The mass killings at the Pulse might be the only attack, or one of many to come.
Matteen is a U.S. citizen, born in New York. In 2013, he got on the FBI’s radar and then again in 2014. The agency interviewed Mateen twice but were “unable to verify the substance of his comments.” According to the ATF, in the last week, Mateen legally purchased at least two firearms.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer reported the death toll as 50, with 53 others wounded. Some of the bodies are still on the scene. The names of the deceased and wounded have not been released.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency in Orange County.
CLARIFICATION: The 50 dead includes 49 victims and the shooter.
Our positive thoughts and prayers to the families of the deceased and the injured.
Posted on 06/12/2016, in civil rights, Gun Control, LGBT, Uncategorized and tagged 50 dead, Florida, Omar Mateen, Orlando, terror attack, The Pulse. Bookmark the permalink. 32 Comments.
We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident 
The names of 6 victims have been released.
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old
Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 years old
Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 years old
Luis S. Vielma, 22 years old
The City of Orlando has opened a site. As relatives are contacted, they will add to the list of names. http://www.cityoforlando.net/blog/victims/
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This is so horrific and heartbreaking.
My whole being sends prayers for the victims, their families, loved ones and for the LGBT community.
Today I have been thinking of the wonderful brotherhood rejoicing at Muhammad Ali’s funeral. Let’s dedicate ourselves to keeping that spirit alive!
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James Howell of Indiana was arrested. Assault rifles, ammunition and materials that could be used to create explosives were found. Santa Monica Police Chief Jacqueline Seaborook said that on Twitter, Howell stated that he wanted “to harm Gay Pride event.”
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“James Howell: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know”
http://heavy.com/news/2016/06/james-howell-indiana-los-angeles-hollywood-pride-parade-attack-guns-weapons-photos-facebook-terrorist/
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Love is the answer.
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Terry DeCarlo, executive director of The LGBT Center of Central Florida,speaks about the attack at Pulse.
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Petition – BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/ban-assault-weapons
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I LOVE IT!
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Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
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Mr. Militant, thanks for the reblog, dear friend.
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Maybe it would just be easier to let people stockpile ALL their weapons. And instead, focus on the ammunition’s supply chain.
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Hey Marion. Welcome.
Now, that’s a good idea.
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This is horrific!!! I’m lighting a candle for the victim’s families.
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Heartbreaking. I see no reason to allow the general public to own assault weapons.
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Congress needs to BAN THE ASSAULT RIFLE now.
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Quite frankly, I’m glad the culprit is dead. I still say the bastard got off lightly, though! Oh, and I understand where you all are coming from with the assault rifle thing, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s the one who took it there and pulled the trigger… numerous times.
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Hey Kev! Thinking about your comment ….
Hatred in the heart gets creative in how to hurt and kill others. McVeigh used a bomb. On 911, the perpetrators used planes.
Back in the day, big-time criminals used “machine guns.” But now, any average American with the money can legally purchase an assault rifle, and it’s not to enforce their criminal enterprise, but kill at random.
Just as “machine guns” used by criminals caused a stigma upon them and their weapon of choice, the same is now true for assault rifles.
Mass murder and assault rifles are somewhat of a marriage where it’s hard to see the individual operate separately from their weapon of choice to carry forth the ugliness in their heart.
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I agree.
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