There are 20 people dead and 42 injured after a gunman went on a shooting rampage at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
Here is what we know so far:
- At around 2:00 a.m. the gunman went into Pulse Nightclub, a popular gay club south of downtown Orlando, and took approximately 320 people inside hostage.
- Orlando officer working as security guard at Pulse nightclub exchanged gunfire with suspect, then the gunman barricaded himself inside the club.
- Nine officers were the first to enter the club and exchanged gunfire with the suspect in two shootings.
- The Orlando Fire Department called for its bomb squad and hazardous material team to the scene after 3 a.m.
- At 5 a.m. authorities used an explosive device to distract the gunman, then authorities plowed into the club with a vehicle.
- Police reported just before 6 a.m. that the shooter inside the club was dead.
- One police officer sustained an injury to his head and was saved by his helmet.
- The shooter was carrying an assault rifle, a handgun and was possibly wearing an explosive “device.”
- The gunman has not been identified and authorities believe he is a “lone wolf.”
- About 30 people were “saved during the rescue,” Orlando Police Chief John Mina said at a morning news conference.
- “Actions of the first responders and hospitals have saved many lives,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.
- The FBI is investigating the shooting.
- FBI agent Ron Hopper said they cannot rule this out as an act of domestic terrorism and that the suspect, who is not from Orlando, may have leanings toward extreme Islamic ideologies.
- This is the largest terror attack since 9/11.
- CBS News reports that the shooter’s name is Omar Mateen.
Shooting at Pulse Nightclub on S Orange. Multiple injuries. Stay away from area. pic.twitter.com/5Di2mc6XUY
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 12, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ2Y9bqd6xk
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Gunfire exchanged at #pulse nightclub hostage situation in #Orlando. pic.twitter.com/qeF0s6Ien6
— Nic Hornstein (@nichornstein) June 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/bjoewolf/status/741876994372214784
https://twitter.com/wtfelias/status/741897596617129984
Terry DeCarlo, LGBT Center Orlando director: "this just makes no sense." "This was an attack on the LGBT community" pic.twitter.com/Y8oEGUBhpS
— Paul Brinkmann (@PaulBrinkmann) June 12, 2016
. @orlandomayor Our community is strong. We will need to help each other's get through this. pic.twitter.com/XyUa8g5PT8
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 12, 2016
FBI: There are "suggestions" shooter at Orlando nightclub had radical Islamic leanings https://t.co/KoOkTZCAbR https://t.co/hGyZRFXWZk
— ABC News (@ABC) June 12, 2016
#Orlandoshooting Cops say "terror incident" won't confirm foreign/domestic-say "suspicious device" found on now dead shooter @foxandfriends
— heather nauert (@HeatherNauert) June 12, 2016
This comes only a day after The Voice singer Christina Grimmie was shot and killed after performing a concert in Orlando.
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