The Votes Are In!
2023 Readers' Choice is back, bigger and better than ever!
View Winners → 
LASD and FBI Respond Worst Mass Shooting in US History
Arcadia Weekly Jun 13, 2016
- Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
by
share with
A total of 50 people were killed and 53 were injured in the horrific shooting that took place at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub in the early hours of Sunday, June 12. – Courtesy photo
By Terry Miller
On June 12, just after 2 a.m., an Orlando Police Officer working extra duty at the Pulse Nightclub, located at 1912 S. Orange Ave., responded to shots fired. The officer engaged in a gun battle with that suspect and the suspect went deeper into the club where more shots were fired. The incident then turned into a hostage situation.
The suspect – later identified as 29-year-old Omar Mir Seddique Mateen of Fort Pierce, Fla. – continued shooting inside the club.
At 5 a.m., the decision was made to breach the club and rescue the hostages, according to Orlando Police Department (OPD) Chief John Mina.
“Officers were able to rescue 30 hostages and lead them to safety. Our SWAT Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, killing him. The gunman, an American citizen living in Florida, legally purchased the firearms within the last week,” said Trevor Velinor, assistant special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Tampa field office.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will conduct the Officer Involved Shooting investigation. The 11 OPD officers involved are relieved of duty, as is standard in any officer involved shooting.
A total of 50 people were killed in the shooting; an additional 53 were injured. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said Sunday afternoon: “This is probably the most difficult day in the history of Orlando.”
While there are no specific or credible threats received by law enforcement for the greater Los Angeles area, LASD and FBI personnel maintain a heightened state of situational awareness and remain vigilant in the protection of our communities.
Sheriff Jim McDonnell has communicated with local, state, and federal partners, as a result of the senseless attack in Florida.
The Department’s Operation Center is open and actively managed events surrounding the Gay Pride Parade and Festival in the City of West Hollywood. Hundreds of uniformed deputies were on-duty to ensure the safety of all those participating in that event.
Out of an abundance of caution, LASD enhanced security presence for the event and had tactical units at-the-ready, to prevent and respond to any circumstances.
A male was detained in the City of Santa Monica Sunday morning, June 12, who was in possession of weapons and other dangerous material. Any possible nexus with this individual and the Pride event in West Hollywood is being investigated by the FBI.
There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack on jihadi forums, but ISIS sympathizers have reacted by praising the attack on pro-Islamic State forums.
“We know enough to say this was an act of terror and act of hate,” President Obama said in an address to the nation from the White House.
While the violence could have hit any American community, “This is an especially heartbreaking day for our friends who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender,” he said.
The nightclub Pulse, where the shootings took place, issued the following statement:
“Like everyone in the country, I am devastated about the horrific events that have taken place today. Pulse, and the men and women who work there, have been my family for nearly 15 years. From the beginning, Pulse has served as a place of love and acceptance for the LGBTQ community. I want to express my profound sadness and condolences to all who have lost loved ones. Please know that my grief and heart are with you.” – Barbara Poma, owner.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department employs thousands of uniformed deputy sheriffs who are on-duty 24-hours a day, seven days a week, patrolling and protecting the many diverse and varying communities we serve throughout Los Angeles County. LASD asks the public to remain vigilant and report any information about potential incidents to their local law enforcement. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-8477, or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tips to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
If you see something of an emergency nature, please call 911.
Vigils are being held in communities around the world in remembrance of the 49 people killed in the Orlando massacre early Sunday, June 12.
For more information: www.weareorlando.org.
