UPDATE: Sources claim that the man arrested in West Hollywood was NOT directly linked to the Orlando shooting.
We’ve been covering the Orlando shooting pretty extensively today, despite our own inability to fully wrap our heads around what happened. Any situation where 50 innocent people get gunned down while dancing in a club and enjoying their weekend is a horrible one, so obviously this one sucks on multiple levels.
As more and more evidence begins to suggest that the shooter, Omar Mateen, was associated with radical Islam, the question becomes whether Mateen’s attack was part of larger scheme. And, according to new reports, it’s beginning to sound like, unfortunately, this isn’t over.
Via Zero Hedge:
“While initial reports are few and far between, a ProPublica reporter writes that according to LA law enforcement, a suspect dressed in a camouflage outfit and weaing a security badge, armed with assault weapons was arrested in West Hollywood, a popular neighborhood among the Los Angeles gay community.”
Source: this just went out to top LA law enforcement officials. Suspect w/ assault weapons, camo arrested in WeHo. pic.twitter.com/9pfBt72spK
— Robert Faturechi (@RobertFaturechi) June 12, 2016
“As a reminder, tens of thousands of people were expected to flood West Hollywood on Sunday for the annual L.A. Pride Parade. The festival celebrating the region’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community kicked off Friday with a musical lineup that features more than 40 artists, headlined by pop stars Charli XCX and Carly Rae Jepsen. Held in West Hollywood Park, festival hours are 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday and noon to 11 p.m. on Sunday.
If confirmed, this may suggest at least some component of coordination in attacks targeting gay events across the nation.”
Sure, coincidences happen, but also, lightning doesn’t strike twice. If it looks like a coordinated terror attack and smells like a coordinated attack, it’s probably a coordinated terror attack. What this means going forward is hard to say since, being the summer, there will be many more Pride parades and events nationwide. Of course, as these things progress, we’ll keep you updated. Stay safe, bros.