ORLANDO, Fla. — In the early morning hours of June 12, a lone gunman, Omar Mateen, entered the LGBT club Pulse and rained fire using an assault weapon leaving as of 9 p.m. on Monday, June 13 49 dead and over 53 wounded in Orlando, Fla.
This single event became the deadliest mass shooting in American History. As of press time, reports from NBC News say that Mateen made a 911 call and pledged allegiance to the leader of ISIS prior to the attack.
Across the nation and world, people have mourned the deaths and were saddened at the senseless loss of life from someone who was disturbed by those who were gay. His father even shared his shock and apologized for the shooting adding that his son “got angry when he saw two men kissing in downtown Miami a couple of months ago.”
President Barack Obama made a statement saying, “Today, as Americans, we grieve the brutal murder — a horrific massacre — of dozens of innocent people. We pray for their families, who are grasping for answers with broken hearts. We stand with the people of Orlando, who have endured a terrible attack on their city. Although it’s still early in the investigation, we know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate. And as Americans, we are united in grief, in outrage, and in resolve to defend our people.” He even issued an executive order to fly flags at half-staff until sunset on June 16.
Vigils were held after the attack and an outpouring from LGBT groups and organizations flooded the news. Gov. Pat McCrory even sent his sorrow to Florida Gov. Richard Scott.
Additionally, prior to the Los Angeles Pride Parade, an unnamed suspect was arrested when after a search of his car possible explosives, as well as weapons and ammunition were discovered. There was no known connection to the Orlando attack.
qnotes has more detailed and up-to-date news elsewhere online at goqnotes-launch2.newspackstaging.com.