Deadliest mass shooting in US history
Authorities describe attack in Orlando’s Pulse club as ‘terrorism incident’
AGUNMAN killed at least 50 people and injured more than 50 in a crowded gay nightclub in Florida early yesterday before police shot him dead in what US authorities described as a “terrorism incident”.
A police officer working as a security guard inside the Pulse club exchanged fire with the suspect, Omar Saddiqui Mateen, at about 2am, police officials said. A hostage situation quickly developed, and three hours later a squad of officers entered the club and shot him dead.
“Do we consider this an act of terrorism? Absolutely, we are investigating this from all parties’ perspective as an act of terrorism,” said Danny Banks of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
“Whether that is domestic terrorist activity or an international one, that is something we will certainly get to the bottom of.”
When asked if Mateen may have had extremist leanings, including a possible sympathy with Islamic State, Ronald Hopper, an assistant FBI agent in charge, said: “We do have suggestions that the individual may have leanings toward that particular ideology. But right now we can’t say definitively.”
At least one officer was injured but the decision to storm the club saved at least 30 lives, Orlando Police Chief John Mina told a press conference.
Mateen was carrying an assault-type rifle and a handgun as well as an unidentified “device” on him, Mina said.
Javer Antonetti, 53, told the Orlando Sentinel newspaper that he was near the back of the dance club when he heard gunfire. “There were so many (shots), at least 40,” he said.”
Video footage showed police officers and civilians carrying injured people away from the club.