One officer was injured, and Mina said he believes the officer's life was probably saved by his Kevlar helmet. SWAT officer eventually made the decision to attempt to rescue the hostages, and entered the club, where nine officers were involved in the fatal shooting of the gunman, Mina said. View More: Orlando nightclub massacre News | Crime News | Live News | More News VideosĪfter the officer already there engaged the gunman, other law enforcement agencies and officials responded, and the gunman retreated into the nightclub and began a "hostage situation," Mina said. Please keep everyone in your prayers as we work through this tragic event.
Pulse Orlando posted on its own Facebook page around 2 a.m.: "Everyone get out of pulse and keep running." Just before 6 a.m., the club posted an update: "As soon as we have any information we will update everyone. Mina said the gunman appeared organized and well-prepared for the incident.
Mina said the incident at Pulse nightclub began around 2:20 a.m., when shots rang out and an officer already posted at the event engaged the gunman, whom Mina said was armed with an assault rifle, a handgun, and a "device" of some kind that officials believed was a threat. Sources tell Milton that authorities investigating the incident are still looking into whether the attack is a hate crime. Robots are now analyzing a device the gunman had strapped to his body to determine if it was a real explosive device or a fake made to look like a real device, the source said. The gunman put up a protracted gun battle with police and was heavily armed, the source said. intelligence source told CBS news senior investigative producer Pat Milton that Islamic terrorism is being investigated as a possible motive in the shooting due to several indicators including the style of the attack, which had similarities to the attacks in Paris in November 2015 and Brussels in March. Donors should be healthy, age 16 or older and weigh at least 100 pounds.Ī U.S. To find a donation center visit or call 1.888.9Donate. Medical officials say there is an urgent need for donations of O Negative blood, O Positive blood and AB Plasma.
Orlando Police Chief John Mina said the suspect was found with a handgun and an AR-15-style assault rifle.
Orlando shooter's father says son had "anti-gay leanings," Mark Strassmann reports ĭyer said that in addition to the 50 people who were killed in the attack, 53 were treated for injuries.