America stands together against hate after gunman kills 50 people in Orlando
13 Jun 2016 10:37 AM IST
Omar Mateen who authorities say killed dozens of people inside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando claimed allegiance to ISIS.
In the deadliest single US mass shooting incident, eclipsing the 2007 massacre of 32 people at Virginia Tech University around 50 people were killed by a gunman who opened fire in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday. (Photo: AP)- The attack, in addition to raising fresh alarms on ability of overseas terrorists to wreak havoc on US also brought focus on a broader campaign against the gay, lesbian and transgender community as the first anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage approaches.
- The iconic Empire state building went dark on Sunday in sympathy to the victims.
- Candlelight vigils and marches were held across the country to mourn the victims of Orlando shooting.
- The Pulse attack coincided with gay pride month in the United States, with festive marches and events being held all over the country including in Orlando last week. Several places across the US lit up in rainbow colours to show solidarity to the LGBTQ community.
- Meanwhile, the suspect's father told NBC News his son may have been motivated by homophobia and not by his Muslim faith.
- US President Barack Obama called the massacre an act of terror and an act of hate. The Pope, and the Queen of UK have also come forward to express condemnation on the attack.
- The gunman's target, Pulse nightclub, is a popular club known on the Orlando LGBT party scene for its drag shows. It is not known exactly how many people were inside at the time of the attack, but it was packed with Saturday night revelers who came to watch a drag queen contest.
- The FBI said Mateen had previously been investigated and cleared by the agency for suspected ties to an American suicide bomber and after making inflammatory terror-related comments to coworkers. In image, people mourn the death of the victims in a prayer service.
- The terror group ISIS has also come forward to claim the attack. ISIS run Amaq news agency said that the armed attack that targeted the night club was carried out by an ISIS fighter. In image, Crime scene workers gather their thoughts taking a break outside the Pulse nightclub.
- Sitora Yusufiy, the ex-wife of Orlando shooting suspect Omar Mateen, and her fiance Marcio Dias. Sitora said that she left him in 2011 fearing for her life, and emphasised that he was violently abusive.
- Omar Mateen, who authorities say killed dozens of people inside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Omar claimed allegiance to ISIS in a 911 call before he carried out the attack that ended after security forces stormed into the nightclub and shot him dead.
- Pulse was crowded with some 350 revellers at a Latin music night when the attack happened. The attacker has been subsequently identified as 29-year-old Omar Mateen, son of an Afghan immigrant born and raised in the US.
In the deadliest single US mass shooting incident, eclipsing the 2007 massacre of 32 people at Virginia Tech University around 50 people were killed by a gunman who opened fire in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday. (Photo: AP)
Omar Mateen who authorities say killed dozens of people inside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando claimed allegiance to ISIS.
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