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Orlando shooting: mayor mourns 'most horrific day' in city's history – live Orlando nightclub shooting: mayor mourns 'most horrific day' in city's history – live
(35 minutes later)
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The Republican presumptive nominee for president, Donald Trump, has made three media appearances this morning to discuss Orlando.
He first appeared on a Fox program, Fox and Friends, where he said: “I’m getting thousands of letters and tweets that I was right about the whole situation.”
“I’ve been right about a lot of things,” he added. “I’m calling for strength. I’m calling for intelligence.”
He was not specific about what he was “right about” or how “strength” and “intelligence” would prevent mass shootings by US citizens who legally purchased weapons.
He insisted that the presumptive Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, won’t say “radical Islam” because “she’s afraid to mention it because her boss will be angry at her.”
Clinton appeared on CNN on Monday and said: “to me, radical jihadism, radical Islamism, I think they mean the same thing.”
“I’m not going to demonize and demagogue and declare war on an entire religion,” she added. “That’s just plain dangerous and it plays into the hands of Isis.”
On the ABC program Good Morning America, Trump said there should be “a ban on people coming in from Syria”.
The host reminded him the gunman was a US citizen who is believed to have spent his entire life in New York and Florida. Trump continued talking about non-US citizens.
Finally Trump appeared on CNN with a new plan: “we need much better intelligence gathering information.”
“We need intelligence gathering centers,” he said, saying that “people in the area, the people in the neighborhood, they knew there’s something off with him.”
He proposed surveillance of mosques and Muslim communities.
“There are people living in the United States with the same kind of hate in their heart as he had,” he added. He notes an argument raised by Clinton: “in this case [Mateen] was licensed, which is kind of an amazing thing.”
Republicans blocked a plan to prohibit gun purchases to people on the FBI watchlist last year. Trump does not mention this. “If you had guns in that room, even if you had a number of people strapped to their ankle, strapped to their waist,” he said, “you wouldn’t have had the tragedy.”
He ignored the CNN host’s note that an armed police officer returned fire on the gunman immediately after the shooting began.
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The presumptive Democratic nominee for president, Hillary Clinton, criticized Florida’s gun laws and spoke about the potential links between Isis and the gunmen, in a Monday morning interview with CNN.The presumptive Democratic nominee for president, Hillary Clinton, criticized Florida’s gun laws and spoke about the potential links between Isis and the gunmen, in a Monday morning interview with CNN.
“Isis appears to be claiming credit for it whether it seem [that they actually] had anything to do with it or not they appear to [have inspired it],” Clinton said.“Isis appears to be claiming credit for it whether it seem [that they actually] had anything to do with it or not they appear to [have inspired it],” Clinton said.
She was asked about whether she would call this “radical Islamic terrorism”.She was asked about whether she would call this “radical Islamic terrorism”.
“From my perspective it matters what we do, not what we say,” she says. “I have clearly said we face terrorist enemies who use Islam [to justify violence], whether you call it radical jihadism, radical Islamism.”“From my perspective it matters what we do, not what we say,” she says. “I have clearly said we face terrorist enemies who use Islam [to justify violence], whether you call it radical jihadism, radical Islamism.”
On Sunday night, her challenger for the presidency, Donald Trump, said Clinton should exit the race if she refused to say “radical Islam”. He also said Barack Obama should step down from the presidency if he would not use the phrase.On Sunday night, her challenger for the presidency, Donald Trump, said Clinton should exit the race if she refused to say “radical Islam”. He also said Barack Obama should step down from the presidency if he would not use the phrase.
“What I won’t do, because I think it is dangerous in our efforts to defeat this threat, is to demonize and demagogue and declare war on an entire religion,” Clinton said. “That plays right into Isis’ hands.”“What I won’t do, because I think it is dangerous in our efforts to defeat this threat, is to demonize and demagogue and declare war on an entire religion,” Clinton said. “That plays right into Isis’ hands.”
“We also want to reach out to the vast majority of American Muslims and Muslims around this world to help us defeat this threat which is so evil and has got to be denounced by everyone regardless of religion,” Clinton said.“We also want to reach out to the vast majority of American Muslims and Muslims around this world to help us defeat this threat which is so evil and has got to be denounced by everyone regardless of religion,” Clinton said.
She then noted that Florida has some of the most lax gun laws in the nation. The state does not regulate assault weapons or high-capacity magazines, does not require a permit to get a gun, and does not require gun owners be licensed. It also has weak background check rules.She then noted that Florida has some of the most lax gun laws in the nation. The state does not regulate assault weapons or high-capacity magazines, does not require a permit to get a gun, and does not require gun owners be licensed. It also has weak background check rules.
“Common sense gun safety” measures, she said, “would at least make a difference.”“Common sense gun safety” measures, she said, “would at least make a difference.”
“We did have an assault weapons ban for 10 years and I think it should be reinstated.”“We did have an assault weapons ban for 10 years and I think it should be reinstated.”
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During the press conference, another three people were named as victims in the attack:During the press conference, another three people were named as victims in the attack:
• Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31.• Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31.
• Oscar A Aracena-Montero, 26.• Oscar A Aracena-Montero, 26.
• Enrique L Rios Jr, 25.• Enrique L Rios Jr, 25.
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Police chief: “It was a barricaded hostage situation”Police chief: “It was a barricaded hostage situation”
Chief Mina returned to the podium to answer questions about the attack.Chief Mina returned to the podium to answer questions about the attack.
“It was a barricaded hostage situation,” Mina said.“It was a barricaded hostage situation,” Mina said.
Crisis negotiators were in communication with the gunman, Omar Mateen, during the hostage situation but did not hear shots fired during those calls, he said. Mina confirmed that Mateen made an allegiance to Isis during the negotiations.Crisis negotiators were in communication with the gunman, Omar Mateen, during the hostage situation but did not hear shots fired during those calls, he said. Mina confirmed that Mateen made an allegiance to Isis during the negotiations.
He said Mateen was “cool and calm” during the discussions.He said Mateen was “cool and calm” during the discussions.
In addition to the 15 people held hostage in a Pulse bathroom, another 15 to 20 people were hiding inside another club bathroom.In addition to the 15 people held hostage in a Pulse bathroom, another 15 to 20 people were hiding inside another club bathroom.
Police entered the building after determining that “loss of life was imminent.”Police entered the building after determining that “loss of life was imminent.”
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US attorney Lee Bentley said investigators have collected a great amount of “electronic and physical evidence”.US attorney Lee Bentley said investigators have collected a great amount of “electronic and physical evidence”.
“We do not know yet whether anyone else will be charged in connection with this crime,” Bentley said.“We do not know yet whether anyone else will be charged in connection with this crime,” Bentley said.
Regina Lombardo, a special agent in charge from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), said two guns found on the scene had been traced back to the shooter. ATF is still tracing a third weapon found inside a vehicle.Regina Lombardo, a special agent in charge from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), said two guns found on the scene had been traced back to the shooter. ATF is still tracing a third weapon found inside a vehicle.
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Orlando police chief John Mina said there were about 15 hostages in a bathroom at Pulse.Orlando police chief John Mina said there were about 15 hostages in a bathroom at Pulse.
Police decided to commence a rescue because further loss of life was imminent, he said.Police decided to commence a rescue because further loss of life was imminent, he said.
Officers used an armored response attack truck, the Bearcat, to open a hole in the building.Officers used an armored response attack truck, the Bearcat, to open a hole in the building.
“We were able to rescue dozens and dozens of people who came out of that hole,” Mina said.“We were able to rescue dozens and dozens of people who came out of that hole,” Mina said.
Mina said the suspect also emerged from the hole, armed and shooting, which is when police engaged in a gunfight with him. The suspect, Omar Mateen, died in the gunfight.Mina said the suspect also emerged from the hole, armed and shooting, which is when police engaged in a gunfight with him. The suspect, Omar Mateen, died in the gunfight.
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Police clarified that the 50 dead includes the gunman.Police clarified that the 50 dead includes the gunman.
Official victim count: 49 shooting victims plus suspect. Total 50. pic.twitter.com/wkh6A83fNVOfficial victim count: 49 shooting victims plus suspect. Total 50. pic.twitter.com/wkh6A83fNV
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Mayor says 48 victims identifiedMayor says 48 victims identified
Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer is the first to speak at the Monday morning update on yesterday’s shooting.Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer is the first to speak at the Monday morning update on yesterday’s shooting.
“Yesterday was the most horrific day in the history of the city of Orlando,” Dyer begins.“Yesterday was the most horrific day in the history of the city of Orlando,” Dyer begins.
He continued to thank the police and first responders for their work.He continued to thank the police and first responders for their work.
All of the victims were removed from the scene by 11pm ET, Dyer said.All of the victims were removed from the scene by 11pm ET, Dyer said.
He said 48 of the 49 dead had been identified and 24 of the next of kin have been notified. Dyer did not explain why he said 49 victims instead of 50, as he had reported earlier.He said 48 of the 49 dead had been identified and 24 of the next of kin have been notified. Dyer did not explain why he said 49 victims instead of 50, as he had reported earlier.
“We will not be defined by the act of a cowardly hater, we will be defined by how we respond,” Dyer said.“We will not be defined by the act of a cowardly hater, we will be defined by how we respond,” Dyer said.
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Jason BurkeJason Burke
Jason Burke, the Guardian’s Africa correspondent, examined whether there are any ties between the Orlando gunman and Isis:Jason Burke, the Guardian’s Africa correspondent, examined whether there are any ties between the Orlando gunman and Isis:
One indication of Mateen’s level of knowledge will be the wording of the pledge that he made. People involved with groups such as al-Qaida and Isis swear allegiance to a leader, not the organisation, which follows Arab, Islamic and other customs. So far, Mateen is reported to have pledged loyalty to Isis, which would indicate a degree of ignorance and, most likely, relatively recent radicalisation.One indication of Mateen’s level of knowledge will be the wording of the pledge that he made. People involved with groups such as al-Qaida and Isis swear allegiance to a leader, not the organisation, which follows Arab, Islamic and other customs. So far, Mateen is reported to have pledged loyalty to Isis, which would indicate a degree of ignorance and, most likely, relatively recent radicalisation.
A final lesson from previous attacks involving lone wolves is that they are very rarely as lone as they look. In Europe, many who were described as “lone actors” by authorities have later been found to be connected to al-Qaida, Isis or other factions and splinter groups, even if only tenuously.A final lesson from previous attacks involving lone wolves is that they are very rarely as lone as they look. In Europe, many who were described as “lone actors” by authorities have later been found to be connected to al-Qaida, Isis or other factions and splinter groups, even if only tenuously.
In US, such links are rarer, not least because far fewer Americans have travelled to the conflict zones of the Islamic world. Significantly perhaps, Mateen is reported to have referred to the Tsarnaev brothers, who bombed the Boston marathon in 2013 and were not connected to any jihadi group, when he called 911 to make his pledge of allegiance to Isis before carrying out the attack in Orlando.In US, such links are rarer, not least because far fewer Americans have travelled to the conflict zones of the Islamic world. Significantly perhaps, Mateen is reported to have referred to the Tsarnaev brothers, who bombed the Boston marathon in 2013 and were not connected to any jihadi group, when he called 911 to make his pledge of allegiance to Isis before carrying out the attack in Orlando.
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Orlando shooting victim’s mother describes son’s last texts – videoOrlando shooting victim’s mother describes son’s last texts – video
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Nadia KhomamiNadia Khomami
Guardian reporter Nadia Khomami has a nice round-up of tributes to the Orlando victims from across the globe.Guardian reporter Nadia Khomami has a nice round-up of tributes to the Orlando victims from across the globe.
On Monday, Paris councillors observed a minute’s silence for the victims of the attack, in which 50 people were killed and 53 injured. Cities across the world held vigils in November 2015 for the 130 who died in attacks in the French capital, often illuminating buildings in the colours of the French national flag.On Monday, Paris councillors observed a minute’s silence for the victims of the attack, in which 50 people were killed and 53 injured. Cities across the world held vigils in November 2015 for the 130 who died in attacks in the French capital, often illuminating buildings in the colours of the French national flag.
In London, venues along Old Compton Street, the heart of the UK capital’s gay community, will stop serving at 7pm on Monday and people will be invited out on to the street in solidarity with the LGBT community and the people of Orlando. Rainbow flags in Manchester’s gay village have been lowered to half mast.In London, venues along Old Compton Street, the heart of the UK capital’s gay community, will stop serving at 7pm on Monday and people will be invited out on to the street in solidarity with the LGBT community and the people of Orlando. Rainbow flags in Manchester’s gay village have been lowered to half mast.
Rainbow flags in Manchester's gay village lowered to half mast in respect for the victims of the Orlando shooting pic.twitter.com/rp1YjRtWDZRainbow flags in Manchester's gay village lowered to half mast in respect for the victims of the Orlando shooting pic.twitter.com/rp1YjRtWDZ
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Orlando police said the next update is due in about 30 minutes. All updates besides press conferences are coming through the department’s official Twitter account, where police are fending off inaccurate reports.Orlando police said the next update is due in about 30 minutes. All updates besides press conferences are coming through the department’s official Twitter account, where police are fending off inaccurate reports.
Press conference is scheduled for 7:30 am same location as yesterday.Press conference is scheduled for 7:30 am same location as yesterday.
Alert: Rumors of multiple shooters are unfounded. The one shooter, Omar Mateen, is dead #OrlandoUnitedAlert: Rumors of multiple shooters are unfounded. The one shooter, Omar Mateen, is dead #OrlandoUnited