This is a horrible tragedy with so many dead and wounded caused by the terror attack on a Orlando nightclub. I am actually amazed a terrorist has not tried to attack a packed night club sooner considering how crowded they can be and have few exits to escape:
A gunman opened fire inside at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, killing 50 people and leaving 53 others hospitalized in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. Officials identified the gunman as Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old U.S. citizen. According to the Washington Post, Mateen’s family is from Afghanistan, while Mateen is believed to have been born in the United States. According to CBS News, Mateen had no apparent criminal history.
You can read much more at the link, but the FBI is treating this as an act of domestic terrorism despite not knowing if the shooter was inspired by radical Islam:
Orlando authorities said they consider the violence an act of domestic terror. The FBI is involved. While investigators are exploring all angles, they “have suggestions the individual has leanings towards (Islamic terrorism), but right now we can’t say definitely,” said Ron Hopper, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Orlando bureau. [CNN]
Also get this authorities according to the article are also investigating if this is a hate crime. ABC News is reporting that Omar Mateen has been on the radar of authorities as a possible threat:
Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old U.S.-born citizen, has been identified as the suspect in Sunday’s mass shooting that left at least 50 dead and more than 50 others wounded at the Pulse Nightclub, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
Mateen’s parents were born in Afghanistan, and he was “on the radar” of U.S. officials for some time, but was not the target of a specific investigation, law enforcement officials told ABC News. [ABC News]
TMZ is reporting that Omar Mateen was a security guard with proper fire arms licensing and they have a picture of the terrorist wearing an NYPD shirt:
The killer in the Orlando nightclub slaughter is 29-year-old Omar Mateen. TMZ has done a records search and found he held a Florida security officer license and a state firearms license. [TMZ]
His parents say the killings had nothing to do with religion and instead he just hated gay people. NYPD also says that Mateen has nothing to do with the department.
How come I have a feeling that after this there will once again be an effort to restrict everyone’s right to own a firearm instead of finding ways to keep firearms out of the hands of the mentally ill and terrorists that commit just about every mass shooting in the US?
Coincidentally this weekend “The Voice” singer Christina Grime was gunned downed in an unrelated shooting in Orlando this weekend as well.
Condolences to everyone affected by both shootings.
