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Orlando shooting: attacker appeared to be self-radicalized, says Obama – rolling updates | |
(35 minutes later) | |
6.57pm BST | |
18:57 | |
Florida governor Rick Scott has requested an emergency declaration from Barack Obama, who promised as much yesterday during an address to the nation on the attack. | |
Yesterday’s terror attack was an attack on our state and entire nation. This morning, I have asked President Obama to declare an emergency so that the full resources of the federal government can be made available for all those impacted by this horrific massacre. | |
I have remained in constant communication with federal, state and local law enforcement. I have spoken with our hospitals who are caring for those who are wounded and recovering. I have also been in contact with some of the victims’ families to let them know we are grieving with them and will be there for them every step of the way. Our state is mourning, but the Orlando community is strong. We are all coming together, and we will get through this together. I ask every American to continue to pray for our state and nation and all those affected by this attack.” | |
In a letter, Scott asked Obama for “provision of health and safety measures” and “management, control and reduction of immediate threats to public health and safety”. | |
An emergency declaration would give Florida up to $5m in initial funding. | |
6.39pm BST | 6.39pm BST |
18:39 | 18:39 |
Orlando authorities have named 12 more victims killed in Sunday’s attack. They are: | Orlando authorities have named 12 more victims killed in Sunday’s attack. They are: |
Updated | |
at 6.49pm BST | |
6.21pm BST | 6.21pm BST |
18:21 | 18:21 |
What we know | What we know |
A summary of the latest briefings on the worst mass shooting in American history, perpetrated at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in the early hours of Sunday morning. | A summary of the latest briefings on the worst mass shooting in American history, perpetrated at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in the early hours of Sunday morning. |
Authorities also provided their best assessment of the investigation so far. | Authorities also provided their best assessment of the investigation so far. |
Updated | Updated |
at 7.12pm BST | |
5.48pm BST | 5.48pm BST |
17:48 | 17:48 |
Comey details FBI's past investigations into killer | Comey details FBI's past investigations into killer |
Comey then explains the FBI’s past investigations into Omar Mateen in 2013 and 2014. | Comey then explains the FBI’s past investigations into Omar Mateen in 2013 and 2014. |
He says he first came to their attention in May of 2013, when he was working as a contract security guard. “He made some statements that were inflammatory and contradictory a that concerned” his coworkers, Comey says. | He says he first came to their attention in May of 2013, when he was working as a contract security guard. “He made some statements that were inflammatory and contradictory a that concerned” his coworkers, Comey says. |
“First he claimed family connections to al-Qaida. then he claimed [connections] to Hezbollah, which is a Shia organization and a bitter enemy of Isil,” Comey continues. | “First he claimed family connections to al-Qaida. then he claimed [connections] to Hezbollah, which is a Shia organization and a bitter enemy of Isil,” Comey continues. |
Mateen also told coworkers that he hoped authorities would raid his apartment so that he could perform some kind of suicide attack. | Mateen also told coworkers that he hoped authorities would raid his apartment so that he could perform some kind of suicide attack. |
Mateen had also claimed links to the Tsarnaev brothers, sources told the Guardian earlier on Monday. A month before coworkers contacted police the Tsarnaevs had bombed the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring 264 others. | Mateen had also claimed links to the Tsarnaev brothers, sources told the Guardian earlier on Monday. A month before coworkers contacted police the Tsarnaevs had bombed the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring 264 others. |
“We attempted to determine whether he was possibly a terrorist,” Comey says, “something we do in hundreds and hundreds of [cases].” | “We attempted to determine whether he was possibly a terrorist,” Comey says, “something we do in hundreds and hundreds of [cases].” |
The investigation, he adds, involved introducing “confidential sources to him, recording coversations, following him, reviewing financial transciatoin,” and the like. | The investigation, he adds, involved introducing “confidential sources to him, recording coversations, following him, reviewing financial transciatoin,” and the like. |
“We then interviewed him twice. He admitted making the statements, but explained that he did it in anger, because he thought his coworkers were discriminating against him and teasing him because he was Muslim.” | “We then interviewed him twice. He admitted making the statements, but explained that he did it in anger, because he thought his coworkers were discriminating against him and teasing him because he was Muslim.” |
In July 2014 he surfaced “in an indirect way”, Comey goes on. Florida FBI agents were investigating a man who later became a suicide bomber for the Nusra front in Syria, and learned that the men knew each other “casually from attending the same mosque in central Florida”. | In July 2014 he surfaced “in an indirect way”, Comey goes on. Florida FBI agents were investigating a man who later became a suicide bomber for the Nusra front in Syria, and learned that the men knew each other “casually from attending the same mosque in central Florida”. |
A witness told the FBI “that he had once been concerned about the killer, because the killer had mentioned [American al-Qaida leader Anwar al-]Awlaki videos, but the witness concluded that he later got married and had a child and got a job as a security guard”, Comey says. | A witness told the FBI “that he had once been concerned about the killer, because the killer had mentioned [American al-Qaida leader Anwar al-]Awlaki videos, but the witness concluded that he later got married and had a child and got a job as a security guard”, Comey says. |
The FBI interviewed Mateen again, determined that he did not have substantial contact with the Nusra-linked bomber, and closed the investigation. | The FBI interviewed Mateen again, determined that he did not have substantial contact with the Nusra-linked bomber, and closed the investigation. |
Comey promises a thorough look back on the investigations, but adds: “I don’t see anything in reviewing our work that I think our agents should’ve done differently.” | Comey promises a thorough look back on the investigations, but adds: “I don’t see anything in reviewing our work that I think our agents should’ve done differently.” |
He makes three familiar pleas: not to give in to fear, to channel energy into helping your neighbors (eg donating blood), and to speak up to the FBI and police. | He makes three familiar pleas: not to give in to fear, to channel energy into helping your neighbors (eg donating blood), and to speak up to the FBI and police. |
“We are looking for needles in a nation-sized haystack,” he says, and “also trying to figure out which pieces of hay might become needles.” | “We are looking for needles in a nation-sized haystack,” he says, and “also trying to figure out which pieces of hay might become needles.” |
Updated | Updated |
at 6.19pm BST | at 6.19pm BST |
5.39pm BST | 5.39pm BST |
17:39 | 17:39 |
FBI director: gunman pledged to jihadi groups | FBI director: gunman pledged to jihadi groups |
FBI director James Comey has given a press conference at the agency’s headquarters in Washington DC. | FBI director James Comey has given a press conference at the agency’s headquarters in Washington DC. |
“There are strong indications of radicalization by this killer and of potential inspiration by foreign terrorist organizations,” he says. “We are spending a tremendous amount of time trying to understand this killer’s path to that night in Orlando.” | “There are strong indications of radicalization by this killer and of potential inspiration by foreign terrorist organizations,” he says. “We are spending a tremendous amount of time trying to understand this killer’s path to that night in Orlando.” |
He says he will avoid using the killer’s name so as not to perpetuate “some twisted notion of fame or glory” that sometimes inspires these crimes. | He says he will avoid using the killer’s name so as not to perpetuate “some twisted notion of fame or glory” that sometimes inspires these crimes. |
“We see no indication that this a was a plot directed from outside the United States,” he says, or that the killer was part of a larger cell, “although he declared his affinity at the time of the attack to Isil.” | “We see no indication that this a was a plot directed from outside the United States,” he says, or that the killer was part of a larger cell, “although he declared his affinity at the time of the attack to Isil.” |
He explains the 911 calls made by the shooter from the club. There were three different calls. | He explains the 911 calls made by the shooter from the club. There were three different calls. |
“He called and he hung up, called again and he spoke briefly with the disapcher, and he hung up. | “He called and he hung up, called again and he spoke briefly with the disapcher, and he hung up. |
Then the dispatcher called back, and they spoke again. | Then the dispatcher called back, and they spoke again. |
“He said he was doing this for the leader of Isil, who he named, and pledged loyalty to,” Comey says. The gunman expressed “solidarity with the bombers of the Boston Marathon, and solidarity with a man who died in a suicide bombing for al-Nusra,” a group which Comey notes is actually at odds with Isil. | “He said he was doing this for the leader of Isil, who he named, and pledged loyalty to,” Comey says. The gunman expressed “solidarity with the bombers of the Boston Marathon, and solidarity with a man who died in a suicide bombing for al-Nusra,” a group which Comey notes is actually at odds with Isil. |
Earlier on Monday, sources told the Guardian’s Spencer Ackerman that the killer, Omar Mateen, had first come to the FBI’s attention by claiming links with the marathon bombers in 2013. | Earlier on Monday, sources told the Guardian’s Spencer Ackerman that the killer, Omar Mateen, had first come to the FBI’s attention by claiming links with the marathon bombers in 2013. |
The Boston Marathon bombers were not affiliated with Isil, he also notes, “which adds a a little bit to the confusion around his motives.” | The Boston Marathon bombers were not affiliated with Isil, he also notes, “which adds a a little bit to the confusion around his motives.” |
Finally Comey also says the FBI is investigating “what role anti-gay bigotry may have played in this attack. Again it’s early, we’re working hard to understand the killer and his motives and his sources of information.” | Finally Comey also says the FBI is investigating “what role anti-gay bigotry may have played in this attack. Again it’s early, we’re working hard to understand the killer and his motives and his sources of information.” |
But he says agents are “highly confident that this killer was radicalized and at least in some part through the internet”. | But he says agents are “highly confident that this killer was radicalized and at least in some part through the internet”. |
Updated | Updated |
at 5.53pm BST | at 5.53pm BST |
5.24pm BST | 5.24pm BST |
17:24 | 17:24 |
Florida senator Bill Nelson has explained a bit more about what happened to the two FBI investigations into gunman Omar Mateen, in 2013 and 2014. | Florida senator Bill Nelson has explained a bit more about what happened to the two FBI investigations into gunman Omar Mateen, in 2013 and 2014. |
Mateen was first investigated in 2013 after he told co-workers that he knew the Tsarnaev brothers, who bombed the Boston Marathon that spring. He was investigated in 2014 for making claims to communication with an American man who later became a suicide bomber in Syria. | Mateen was first investigated in 2013 after he told co-workers that he knew the Tsarnaev brothers, who bombed the Boston Marathon that spring. He was investigated in 2014 for making claims to communication with an American man who later became a suicide bomber in Syria. |
Sen. Bill Nelson on conf. call: FBI closed two investigations into Mateen because "there was no prosecutable evidence." | Sen. Bill Nelson on conf. call: FBI closed two investigations into Mateen because "there was no prosecutable evidence." |
FBI director James Comey is due to speak soon at a press conference at the agency’s headquarters. | FBI director James Comey is due to speak soon at a press conference at the agency’s headquarters. |
Related: Pulse nightclub attack: questions over how suspect on FBI's radar could buy guns | Related: Pulse nightclub attack: questions over how suspect on FBI's radar could buy guns |
Updated | Updated |
at 5.56pm BST | at 5.56pm BST |
5.14pm BST | 5.14pm BST |
17:14 | 17:14 |
Five wounded people “remain in grave condition”, the primary hospital of Orlando has just reported. | Five wounded people “remain in grave condition”, the primary hospital of Orlando has just reported. |
Orlando Health, the hospital that took in most of the 53 wounded people on Sunday, has just tweeted a detailed narrative of its response Sunday. | Orlando Health, the hospital that took in most of the 53 wounded people on Sunday, has just tweeted a detailed narrative of its response Sunday. |
“We have had no patients die of their injuries since the initial nine who arrived Sunday morning,” the hospital wrote. | “We have had no patients die of their injuries since the initial nine who arrived Sunday morning,” the hospital wrote. |
“Nine patients succumbed to their injuries; most arrived with no vital signs or profoundly ill. We had six trauma surgeons in the hospital and operating within one hour of the arrival of the first patient.” | “Nine patients succumbed to their injuries; most arrived with no vital signs or profoundly ill. We had six trauma surgeons in the hospital and operating within one hour of the arrival of the first patient.” |
“As of this time, six patients have been discharged and 29 patients remain in the hospital. We take care of a number of critically ill patients on a daily basis, but not to this extent. We usually see six gunshot wounds at a time.” | “As of this time, six patients have been discharged and 29 patients remain in the hospital. We take care of a number of critically ill patients on a daily basis, but not to this extent. We usually see six gunshot wounds at a time.” |
“A number of patients currently in our care remain critically ill & in shock. Five patients remain in grave condition.” | “A number of patients currently in our care remain critically ill & in shock. Five patients remain in grave condition.” |
“We have experienced a huge outpouring of support. Local blood banks have over 600 units of blood on hand. Thank you, everyone.” | “We have experienced a huge outpouring of support. Local blood banks have over 600 units of blood on hand. Thank you, everyone.” |
Earlier on Monday police clarified that 39 people were found dead inside the nightclub, nine people died after emergency staffers had reached them or were taking them to hospitals, and two bodies were found on the street outside the club. | Earlier on Monday police clarified that 39 people were found dead inside the nightclub, nine people died after emergency staffers had reached them or were taking them to hospitals, and two bodies were found on the street outside the club. |
Despite 6-hour wait, donors are hanging around waiting. pic.twitter.com/TgVXWayPus | Despite 6-hour wait, donors are hanging around waiting. pic.twitter.com/TgVXWayPus |
4.58pm BST | 4.58pm BST |
16:58 | 16:58 |
Obama: FBI gun-alert rules are 'crazy' | |
Finally Obama talks at length about guns, and again says that their easy availability and terrorism are not mutually exclusive problems. | Finally Obama talks at length about guns, and again says that their easy availability and terrorism are not mutually exclusive problems. |
“It’s a challenge for law enforcement even to get, to get a word that somebody that they are watching has purchased a gun,” he says. | “It’s a challenge for law enforcement even to get, to get a word that somebody that they are watching has purchased a gun,” he says. |
“And if they do get alerted sometimes it’s hard for them to stop it. It’s crazy. It’s a problem. And we have to, I think, do some soul searching.” | “And if they do get alerted sometimes it’s hard for them to stop it. It’s crazy. It’s a problem. And we have to, I think, do some soul searching.” |
He adds that he is worried the country will descend into the same frozen debate about second amendment rights and terrorism. “The danger here is it ends up being the usual political debate, the NRA the gun control folks say that ‘oh, Obama doesn’t want to talk about terrorism.’ And if you talk about terrorism then people say, ‘why aren’t you talking about issues [of gun control].’” | He adds that he is worried the country will descend into the same frozen debate about second amendment rights and terrorism. “The danger here is it ends up being the usual political debate, the NRA the gun control folks say that ‘oh, Obama doesn’t want to talk about terrorism.’ And if you talk about terrorism then people say, ‘why aren’t you talking about issues [of gun control].’” |
“If we have self-radicalized individuals in this country, then they are going to be very difficult often times to find ahead of time,” he continues. “And how easy it is for them to obtain weapons is in some cases going to make a difference [as to whether] there are going to be attacks like this or not. | “If we have self-radicalized individuals in this country, then they are going to be very difficult often times to find ahead of time,” he continues. “And how easy it is for them to obtain weapons is in some cases going to make a difference [as to whether] there are going to be attacks like this or not. |
“And we make it very easy for individuals who are troubled or disturbed or want to engage in violent acts to obtain very powerful weapons, and quickly. | “And we make it very easy for individuals who are troubled or disturbed or want to engage in violent acts to obtain very powerful weapons, and quickly. |
“It’s a problem regardless of motivation,” he concludes. “It’s a problem [when] a young man who walked into a church in South Carolina and murdered nine people who offered to pray with him. It’s a problem when an angry young man on a college campus decides to shoot people because he feels like he’s disrespected. It’s certainly a problem when you have organizations like Isil or al-Qaida trying to actively promote violence.” | “It’s a problem regardless of motivation,” he concludes. “It’s a problem [when] a young man who walked into a church in South Carolina and murdered nine people who offered to pray with him. It’s a problem when an angry young man on a college campus decides to shoot people because he feels like he’s disrespected. It’s certainly a problem when you have organizations like Isil or al-Qaida trying to actively promote violence.” |
Updated | |
at 6.41pm BST | |
4.52pm BST | 4.52pm BST |
16:52 | 16:52 |
Obama once again offers his condolences and support for the victims and their families and loved ones. | Obama once again offers his condolences and support for the victims and their families and loved ones. |
He’s asked again about terrorism, and answers by saying that the question of guns and terror need to be taken on together. | He’s asked again about terrorism, and answers by saying that the question of guns and terror need to be taken on together. |
At the end of the day this is something that we are going to have to grapple with, making sure that even as we go after Isil and other extremist organizations overseas, even as we go after their leadership, and hit their infrastructure, take key personnel off the field, even as we disrupt external plots, [we have to confront] this kind of propaganda, and the perversions of Islam that we see generated on the internet, and the capacity of that to seep into the minds of troubled individuals. | At the end of the day this is something that we are going to have to grapple with, making sure that even as we go after Isil and other extremist organizations overseas, even as we go after their leadership, and hit their infrastructure, take key personnel off the field, even as we disrupt external plots, [we have to confront] this kind of propaganda, and the perversions of Islam that we see generated on the internet, and the capacity of that to seep into the minds of troubled individuals. |
“Countering this extremist ideology is increasingly important as disruptive more intensive plots,” he adds. He says that the Orlando shooting “appears to be similar to what we saw in San Bernardino, but we don’t yet know.” | “Countering this extremist ideology is increasingly important as disruptive more intensive plots,” he adds. He says that the Orlando shooting “appears to be similar to what we saw in San Bernardino, but we don’t yet know.” |
“We have to make sure it is not easy for someone who decides they want to harm people in this country to get weapons.” | “We have to make sure it is not easy for someone who decides they want to harm people in this country to get weapons.” |
He cautions that in the case of Omar Mateen, “we don’t yet know the motivations,” before drawing the link between jihadi ideology and homophobia and intolerance. | He cautions that in the case of Omar Mateen, “we don’t yet know the motivations,” before drawing the link between jihadi ideology and homophobia and intolerance. |
He says “radical nihilistic organizations” like Isil and al-Qaida “have perverted Islam” and target gay and lesbian people while also condoning slavery and rape of women. | He says “radical nihilistic organizations” like Isil and al-Qaida “have perverted Islam” and target gay and lesbian people while also condoning slavery and rape of women. |
“So there clearly are connections between the attitudes of an organization like this and their attitudes toward tolerance and pluralism and the belief that all people are treated equally regardless of sexual orientation.” | “So there clearly are connections between the attitudes of an organization like this and their attitudes toward tolerance and pluralism and the belief that all people are treated equally regardless of sexual orientation.” |
“I’m sure we will find that there are connections regardless of the particular motivations of this killer, there are connections between this vicious bankrupt ideology and general attitudes towards gays and lesbians. and unfortunately that is something that the LGBT community is subject to not just by Isil but by a lot of groups that purport to speak on behalf of God around the world. | “I’m sure we will find that there are connections regardless of the particular motivations of this killer, there are connections between this vicious bankrupt ideology and general attitudes towards gays and lesbians. and unfortunately that is something that the LGBT community is subject to not just by Isil but by a lot of groups that purport to speak on behalf of God around the world. |
4.42pm BST | 4.42pm BST |
16:42 | 16:42 |
Obama: shooter appears to have self-radicalized on internet | Obama: shooter appears to have self-radicalized on internet |
President Barack Obama has said that “it appears that the shooter was inspired by various extremist information that was being distributed on the internet.” | President Barack Obama has said that “it appears that the shooter was inspired by various extremist information that was being distributed on the internet.” |
Speaking from the White House, he says here is no clear evidence that the gunman, Omar Mateen, was directed through someone else and “no direct evidence that he was part of a larger plot”. | Speaking from the White House, he says here is no clear evidence that the gunman, Omar Mateen, was directed through someone else and “no direct evidence that he was part of a larger plot”. |
The FBI followed the “procedures that they were supposed to” in their handling of investigations in 2013 and 2014, he says, and the agency is now looking at all possible motivations of the killer. | The FBI followed the “procedures that they were supposed to” in their handling of investigations in 2013 and 2014, he says, and the agency is now looking at all possible motivations of the killer. |
Based on press conferences and interviews with Mateen’s ex-wife and father, motivations as varied as sympathies for jihadi groups to homophobia to emotional disturbances are under consideration. | Based on press conferences and interviews with Mateen’s ex-wife and father, motivations as varied as sympathies for jihadi groups to homophobia to emotional disturbances are under consideration. |
“It does appear that he had in the last minute announced his allegiance to Isil but there is no evidence so far that this attack was directed,” he says. | “It does appear that he had in the last minute announced his allegiance to Isil but there is no evidence so far that this attack was directed,” he says. |
“It also appears that he was able to obtain these weapons legally because he did not have a criminal record which in some ways would prohibit him from purchasing those weapons,” the president continues. | “It also appears that he was able to obtain these weapons legally because he did not have a criminal record which in some ways would prohibit him from purchasing those weapons,” the president continues. |
“It appears that one of those weapons he was just able to carry out of that store: an assault rifle, a handgun, a Glock, which had a lot of clips in it, which he was apparently required to wait for three days.” | “It appears that one of those weapons he was just able to carry out of that store: an assault rifle, a handgun, a Glock, which had a lot of clips in it, which he was apparently required to wait for three days.” |
“It was not difficult for him to obtain these kinds of weapons,” he says. | “It was not difficult for him to obtain these kinds of weapons,” he says. |
Updated | Updated |
at 5.04pm BST | at 5.04pm BST |