50 Dead 53 Wounded in possible terror attack in Orlando

June 12, 201610 yr

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/06/12/50-kill ed-in-shooting-at-florida-nightclub-in-possible-act-islamic-terror.html?intcmp=hpbt1

A gunman who federal authorities say had possible ties to terrorism opened fire early Sunday morning in a packed Orlando nightclub, killing 50 people and wounding at least 53 more in a bloody scene that ended hours later when police stormed the building and killed the shooter.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer asked Gov. Rick Scott to declare a state of emergency following the attack.

The gunman was identified as Omar Mateen, Rep. Alan Grayson said during a Sunday morning press conference. Mateen was a U.S. citizen, Grayson said, though that was "not true of other family members of his." Mateen, 29, lived in Fort Pierce, Fla. He was born in the U.S. to parents of Afghan origin and was a Muslim, Fox News confirmed.

Authorities were going through Mateen's belongings on Sunday morning trying to identify a motive for the attack, Grayson said.

"More likely than not, that it was an ideologically motivated attack," Grayson said, though he said it was unclear if Mateen was linked to any terror groups.

"It's not coincidence the attack took place where it did and when it did," Grayson said.

Orlando Regional Medical Center called in six trauma surgeons, including a pediatric surgeon, as victims poured in, Dr. Michael Cheatham said. Many of the wounded were "critically ill" due to their injuries, Cheatham said, and the hospital was trying to reach out to their families.

The shooting in Orlando at Pulse, which bills itself as "the hottest gay bar" in the city and was packed with more than 300 people for "Latin Night," was reported minutes after 2 a.m. Sunday. In addition to those killed inside the club, at least 53 people were taken to area hospitals. Dozens of partygoers remained hostages in the club for several hours after the initial shooting, prompting SWAT teams to rush inside. Shortly after 6 a.m. local time, Orlando police tweeted that the gunman had been killed.

Authorities said there was not believed to be any further threat to the area.

The shooter was "trained in the use of weapons," Rep. Peter King told Fox News, though King didn't elaborate on what type of training that entailed.

The gunman “may have leanings” toward radical Islam, FBI Special Agent in Charge Ron Hopper said when asked by Fox News whether the suspect had ties to Jihadist terror groups. Hopper said the investigation was looking into possible threats made previously by the suspect in connection to radical Islam groups.

“There are allegations the individual made threats in the past to having ties to terrorist organizations,” Hopper told Fox News.

"At this time we're looking at all angles right now," Hopper said. "We do have suggestions that that individual may have leanings toward [radical Islam], that particular ideology. But right now we can’t say definitively so we’re still running everything around.”

The incident “is being investigated as an act of terrorism,” said Danny Banks, special agent in charge at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Banks said the shooter was armed with an “assault-type rifle” and a handgun.

Chief John Mina of the Orlando Police Department said officers were initially engaged in a gun battle outside the club before the suspect went back into the building, where more shots were fired. He said the gunman then took several hostages.

Officials said Mateen had some communication with police during this standoff, though they did not reveal what was said.

"It appears he was organized and well-prepared," Mina said.

At least 9 officers were involved in raiding the nightclub, and one officer was injured, according to Banks. The injured officer was hit by a bullet and his Kevlar helmet saved his life, Banks said.

I figured it was a matter of time until the proverbial s*** hit the fan in another attack. I'm curious to see how this develops into a confiscation push.