Attack unfolded ‘ like rolling thunder’
The 911 call came early Sunday, before the shooting began.
The caller was a 29-year-old man, pledging his allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group. He praised Boston Marathon bombers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, and moments later, armed with an AR-15-style assault rifle, a handgun and what Orlando Police described as “an unidentified device,” he engaged police in a gunbattle outside the Pulse, one of the city’s most popular gay nightclubs.
Across Orlando for nearly two weeks, revelers had been celebrating Gay Pride month — citywide, a week-long “Gay Days” festival had ended days earlier. One of the largest gay pride events in the world, it advertises itself as “America’s favorite LGBT vacation experience.”
Saturday night was Latin Night at the Pulse, and though closing time was fast approaching, about 320 people were still inside dancing and drinking early Sunday.
One of them was Brand White, 30, of Orlando, who was with his cousin when shots rang out. “We are dancing and all of a sudden it just started like a rolling thunder, loud and everything went black,” he said.
White was shot in the shoulder. Hours later, he couldn’t recall leaving the club or how he got to the hospital. His cousin was unaccounted for.
Brett Rigas said he and his partner were dancing when they heard the shots. Rigas, shot in the arm, hid behind a
“One of the most horrific things I’ve ever seen.” Wayne Ivey, Brevard County (Fla.) sheriff, regarding the scene of the attack Sunday
about 5 a.m.
“Our biggest concern was further loss of life,” he said. “We exchanged gunfire with the suspect, and he was dead at the scene.”
Eleven officers were involved in the final shootout, Mina said.
Mina said the gunman was armed with an assault rifle, a handgun and some sort of unidentified device. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Mateen bought guns legally in the last few days.
The suspect’s father, Mir Seddique, told NBC News on Sunday that he was shocked by the news, but that his son had recently expressed anti-gay sentiments. Seddique said the attack “had nothing to do with religion.”
Supporters of the Islamic State, the extremist group that seized parts of Syria and Iraq, lauded the attack on social media. The militants’ news agency, Amaq, said the attack was carried out by an Islamic State fighter. It was not clear, however, if Islamic State leaders had any prior knowledge of the attack.
Obama, in a speech to the nation, said the crime shows once again how easy it is for someone to get a weapon for use in a mass killing. He also expressed condolences to the families of the victims. “The place where they were attacked was more than a nightclub, it was a place of solidarity, empowerment, where people come together to raise awareness,” he said.
Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for Orange County. “You don’t want this to happen anywhere in the world,” Scott said. “It’s devastating when you see how many people lost their lives and the impact on the families.”
Muhammad Musri, president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida, thanked law enforce- ment officials for their efforts and cautioned against any rush to judgment because the alleged killer was a Muslim, according to media reports.
“No one could have expected this, no one could have prepared for it,” a visibly shaken Musri said at a news conference. “It’s like lightning.”
He said the city and Muslim community “are heartbroken.”
The process of identifying the victims and notifying families was underway, and a city website was slowly compiling the names of the victims. Among the first released: Edward Sotomayor Jr., Stanley Almodovar III, and Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo.
Adeliz Lopez said she just learned her cousin, Ilka, is in critical condition after being shot eight times.
“I’m devastated,” Lopez said. “There is so much hate in people’s heart.”
Jackie Smith, who was inside the club said two of her friends were shot, the Associated Press reported. “Some guy walked in and started shooting everybody. He had an automatic rifle, so nobody stood a chance.”