50 Dead in Florida Gay Club Shooting
by VOA News June 12, 2016
A gunman behind the killing of 50 people in an Orlando, Florida, nightclub early Sunday has been identified as Omar Saddiqui Mateen, a U.S. citizen of Afghan descent who the FBI said committed a crime that is being investigated as an "act of terrorism."
President Barack Obama said in remarks from the White House the massacre "marks the most deadly shooting in American history." He added that "no act of terror or hate can change who we are." The mass shooting, said Obama, is a "sobering reminder" that an attack on any American is "an attack on all of us."
"Although it is still early in the investigation, we know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate," Obama added.
Earlier, Senator Bill Nelson of Florida said intelligence officials informed him the shooter may have pledged allegiance to Islamic State. He added investigators are focused on Fort Pierce, about 190 kilometers from Orlando. where the gunman lived.
Another 53 people were wounded and police fatally shot the suspect as they moved to rescue club-goers trapped inside.
In a statement released by the Vatican, Pope Francis expressed his "deepest feelings of horror and condemnation" over the Orlando massacre.
Muslim reactions
The founder of Make Space, an Islamic Center in Northern Virginia just outside Washington, D.C., told VOA's Afghan Service the shootings are "an unjustifiable act of terror," adding that "shooting innocent humans is a cowardly act that every Muslim and every human being should condemn." Imam Zia Makhdoom also said Muslims, too, feel threatened when violent acts occur and cautioned Muslims to "pay more attention to their security" in the coming days.
The Orlando Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said in a statement, "We condemn this monstrous attack and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed or injured. The Muslim community joins our fellow Americans in repudiating anyone or any group that would claim to justify or excuse such an appalling act of violence."
Those who live in the area are particularly shaken by the massacre. Orlando resident Kim Borwick has spoken with friends and colleagues and told VOA, "They are devastated by what has happened and saddened and in some cases angry." Boric said people are reaching out to loved ones to make sure they are safe."
Fear and frustration, she said, are also felt by many. "It is scary. It brings people to a point where they say 'When is this going to stop? This senseless violence has to stop."
Later Sunday law enforcement officials in Santa Monica, California, found possible explosives, assault rifles and ammunition in the car of a man who said he was in town for the LGBT Pride festival in Los Angeles. After receiving a call about a suspected prowler, police found the weapons in the man's car. The FBI has taken over the investigation.
Club targeted
On the gay club's Facebook page, a post around 2 a.m. gave early indication of the tragedy that was unfolding.
"Everyone get out of pulse," a page administrator wrote, "and keep running."
Why the club was targeted remains unclear. The shooting comes as many cities around the world celebrate June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transsexual (LGBT) Pride Month.
The Pulse nightclub incident follows another shooting in Orlando by a day. Singer Christina Grimmie, a 22-year-old YouTube star and one-time contestant of the TV talent show "The Voice," was fatally shot by a man outside her concert late Friday. Kevin James Loibl, 27, was arrested in connection with her death.
Mohammad Habibzada contributed to this report.
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