50 Dead, 53 Injured After Deadliest Shooting In U.S. History At Pulse Night Club In Orlando, Florida | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

50 Dead, 53 Injured After Deadliest Shooting In U.S. History At Pulse Night Club In Orlando, Florida

50 are dead and at least 53 others hospitalized after America's deadliest Mass Shooting.

23
50 Dead, 53 Injured After Deadliest Shooting In U.S. History At Pulse Night Club In Orlando, Florida
Pulse Orlando

In the early morning hours of June 12, 2016 a terrorist attack was made at The Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida just two days after "The Voice" singer Christina Grimmie was shot and killed at The Plaza in Orlando. Over 50 people were shot dead, and dozens more were injured. Witnesses were horrified as 29-year-old Omar Mateen of Port St. Lucie, Florida, entered the bar with an AR-15 rifle and a handgun. Before conducting the shooting, he called 911 to pledge his allegiance to ISIS, the terrorist organization responsible for killing many people worldwide. It has been deemed by President Obama as the worst shooting in American history. At least 50 people were confirmed dead and at least another 53 hospitalized. The gunman was killed after a shootout with S.W.A.T. officers.

Mateen is a U.S. born citizen who worked as a security guard and was able to easily access firearms. He has been on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's radar since 2013 for possible ties with ISIS due to sympathizing a suicide bomber. According to police, his father made a statement saying he was angered by seeing two men kiss a couple of months ago which potentially sparked the shooting. The FBI and Orlando Police are classifying this shooting as a Domestic Terrorism Case. Officials say that religion had nothing to do with the shooting, only Mateen's dislike for the LGBT community.

The Club was known as a perfect target to Mateen because of its reputation as a club for LGBT Americans.

Around 2 a.m., The Pulse made a post on their social media telling everyone to evacuate and to run far from the club due to the shooting.

According to Orlando Police, one officer was working at the club as an armed security guard at the time of the shooting. When he engaged the suspect, Mateen ran to a bathroom and took hostages while some people pretended to have been killed which saved their lives.

One police officer was shot and is recovering from injuries to his face and head. According to the Orlando Police, if he wasn't wearing his Kevlar helmet, he would not have survived.

In addition to the suspect's firearms, a suspicious device was found in his car. SWAT and Bomb Disposal Units secured his car after they exchanged gunfire with Mateen. According to Mateen's ex wife, she believed he was mentally ill and he was an abusive person. He was Bipolar but it was not formally diagnosed by mental health professionals.

Family of the suspect are in shock as well as the rest of the country. President Obama addressed the issue saying that this was not just a terror plot, but it was intended as a hate crime and as he left the briefing room, he did not answer any questions.

Most of the victims were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and the hospital was shut down to incoming patients who were not victims of the shooting. Police responded to the hotel to act as security while victims arrived by Advanced Live Support Ambulance units.

Later in the day around 5 a.m. Pacific Time, 20-year-old James Wesley Howell was arrested in Santa Monica for being in possession of chemicals used to makeexplosives, 3 assault rifles, high capacity magazines, and ammunition.

Police received a 911 call for a prowler in West Hollywood and found Howell. According to police, Howell told authorities he was out looking for a friend to attend an LGBT Pride Festival in Los Angeles. There is no indication at the moment if the arrest is related to the attack in Orlando.

Speculations are going around that ISIS has claimed responsibility for the shooting. There has been no confirmation on the rumor at this time.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

11 Things Summer Nannies Can Relate To

There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

258
11 Things Summer Nannies Can Relate To

As a college student, being a nanny over the summer is both enjoyable and challenging. Underneath the seemingly perfect trips to the pool or countless hours spent playing Monopoly are the obstacles that only nannies will understand. Trading in your valuable summer vacation in return for three months spent with a few children less than half your age may seem unappealing, but so many moments make it rewarding. For my fellow summer nannies out there, I know you can relate.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl

If it hurts now, it'll hurt again. Not because you're gullible or naive, only because you fall fast, hard, and you do it every time.

We fall each and every time with the complete and utter confidence that someone will be there to catch us. Now that person we SWORE we were never going to fall for has our hearts, and every time we see them our palms start sweating. The butterflies in our stomach start to soar and our hearts are entirely too close to bursting out of our chests.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Things Only Equestrians Understand

Yes, it IS a sport. Yes, I fall all the time. No, I do not ride in jeans with a cowgirl hat on.

716
horses
Barn Pros

Growing up I have always wanted to own a horse. My grandparents own a well known equestrian facility in Georgia, so I have been riding since I was born. A bond between a person and their horse is a bond so strong that it cannot be broken. Everywhere I went I wanted to be around horses, even forcing my family to go on trail rides during vacations. Horses have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember has taught me great responsibility, as well as 14 things that all equestrians can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
man wearing white top using MacBook
Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

College is super hard. Between working, studying, and having a social life, it feels like a struggle to just keep afloat.

I understand. When you feel like your drowning and there's no way to stay afloat I understand that it feels like everyone else is doing just fine. I understand all the frustration, long nights in the library, and that feeling that you want to just throw in the towel. I understand that sometimes it's too hard to get out of bed because your brain is already filled with too much information to remember. I understand because I am also feeling pretty burnt out.

Keep Reading...Show less
No Matter How Challenging School Gets, You Have To Put Your Health First — A Degree Won't Mean Anything If You're Dead
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Some of the best advice I've ever received was from my social studies teacher in sophomore year of high school. He stated, "If you don't know it at midnight, you're not going to know it for the 8 a.m. exam, so get some sleep."

It's such a simple piece of advice, but it holds so much accuracy and it's something that the majority of college students need to hear and listen to. "All-nighters" are a commonality on college campuses in order to cram in studying for an exam that is typically the next day.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments