Mass Shooting at LGBT Nightclub in Orlando

[snoopy]

And he drove to Orlando from Port St Lucie because he saw someone in Miami kissing? His parents sound clueless to who their son was.

I think the fathers point was that he had a long standing hatred of gays. Not that he saw two men kissing and reacted immediately.

 

[nlloyd]

CBC has now removed any reference to the LGBTQ community from its headline, which now reads: "50 dead in worst U.S. mass shooting at Florida nightclub." I have emailed them and asked them to put "gay" or "LGBTQ" back in. It is crucial to why this happened -- the LGBTQ community was clearly targeted -- and that fact shouldn't be sidestepped.

 

[Fan123]

Comments such as these are not helpful.

I agree, but we need to get our heads out of the sand and address the radical Islamic extremist ideology that is so hateful. I wouldn't be too surprised if ISIS is involved, the timing is too weird.

 

[kittyjake5]

I have no words. Heartbroken for the victims and their families. My condolences.

 

[twinsissv]

How many more times?
How many more victims?
How many more atrocities?
How many more thoughts and prayers?
How many more excuses?

 

[MsZem]

I agree, but we need to get our heads out of the sand and address the radical Islamic extremist ideology that is so hateful. I wouldn't be too surprised if ISIS is involved, the timing is too weird.

Hateful, anti-LGBT rhetoric is hardly limited to ISIS or other Islamist groups.

If you wish to discuss ISIS and its ideology, I recommend the relevant PI thread.

 

[peibeck]

I agree, but we need to get our heads out of the sand and address the radical Islamic extremist ideology that is so hateful. I wouldn't be too surprised if ISIS is involved, the timing is too weird.

It's Pride weekend in Orlando, so I think that has something to do with the timing. The gunman obviously knew the club was going to be busy. Also, I don't know why something could not be considered BOTH a terrorist and a hate crime.

Regardless, this is yet another act of horrible gun violence. Why military-grade automatic weapons are available to be sold to the general public makes no sense to me. My heart goes out to the families and victims. Given what the doctor said at the press conference this morning, the death toll could sadly rise even higher.

 

[Vash01]

I woke up this morning to this horrific news. Although mass shootings are not that uncommon in the USA- sadly- this one sounds worse than anything we have seen. Not to say other shootings were not equally devastating. When I heard it was a LGBT nightclub, the first thing that came to my mind was - hate crime? When the name of the shooter appeared, it sounded like a Muslim name. I am just waiting for Trump to say- see, I told you that Muslims must be banned. NRA will say- if someone had a gun, they would have quickly killed the shooter. If Hillary says anything about gun control it will be considered 'politicizing the tragedy'. In any case, all three (Bernie, Hillary, Trump) have issued statements. Once again, Obama will give a condolence speech, but sadly nobody has been able to even reduce these mass killings slightly.

Regardless of what anyone says, this was horrible, and beyond comprehension. Just yesterday an innocent young singer was killed after her concert. This too was in Florida (just a coincidence, IMO). I got teary eyed just watching the news this morning. It's going to be really tough for those families. My heart goes out to them.

 

[TOADS]

CBC has now removed any reference to the LGBTQ community from its headline, which now reads: "50 dead in worst U.S. mass shooting at Florida nightclub." I have emailed them and asked them to put "gay" or "LGBTQ" back in. It is crucial to why this happened -- the LGBTQ community was clearly targeted -- and that fact shouldn't be sidestepped.

Ridiculous....

Your job is to report the news with ALL the facts, not editorialize and massage the facts.

 

[Vash01]

Is a hate crime considered terrorism? My first thought when I saw this on the news was hate crime rather than domestic terrorism. I guess we'll get more details in the next few days.

I'm sadly unsurprised every time I hear of a shooting in the US. Unfortunately my first reaction is "again" - these shootings will continue to happen until something is done to control access to guns.

I really hope all of the survivors make it, and have (free) access to counselling. I can't even begin to imagine what they're going through.

I think it's considered domestic terrorism. However, ties to ISIS cannot be ruled out. We will just have to wait until more information is available.

Even though we have sort of gotten used to mass shootings, the magnitude of this is really shocking to me. Someone must have planned it like- where can I kill the largest number of people?- Sickening!

 

[katmari]

 

[Vash01]

I don't think this has anything to do with gun control, but a hate crime against the LGBT community AND terrorism from a radical Islamic individual. Violence that is related to radical Islamic ideology is not limited to an international group, a directive from any terrorist groups, etc. The killer is reportedly a US citizen, with ancestry from Afghanistan. The FBI already knows there are many radical Islamists living across the country. We will know more through the killer's computer, phone and other communications in the days to come.

This doesn't have to do with gun control? How do these murderers get their hands on these mass killing weapons? No matter how much hatred one has, easy access to these weapons has to be one of the factors.

 

[Frau Muller]

Obama will address the nation @ 1:30pm Eastern. I wonder if he'll mention the Islamic connection and, if so, remind us of the kindness of the vast majority of Muslims?

 

[twinsissv]

Woke up this morning to see coverage of the 'terrible' behavior of the soccer fans in France. Thought that was going to be the worst news of the day. Wrong...so wrong...

 

[Allskate]

Just yesterday an innocent young singer was killed after her concert. This too was in Florida (just a coincidence, IMO). I got teary eyed just watching the news this morning.

We may never know whether this was a copycat crime or who he may have been copying. His father says it was not religious, but that his son probably was motivated by seeing two men kissing. I'm under the impression that most hate crimes against gay people are related in some way to religion. In the United States that is usually the Christian religion, but Islam certainly could be a motivation for such hate crimes as well.

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/or...gency-services-respond-reports-gunman-n590446

 

[Vash01]

Obama will address the nation @ 1:30pm Eastern. I wonder if he'll mention the Islamic connection and, if so, remind us of the kindness of the vast majority of Muslims?

Unless there is evidence, I don't think he is going to blame any particular community. I think this will be a speech of condolences, to tell the victims that he shares their grief and will do whatever he can to help them at this difficult time.

 

[Frau Muller]

This doesn't have to do with gun control? How do these murderers get their hands on these mass killing weapons? No matter how much hatred one has, easy access to these weapons has to be one of the factors.

In this case, not likely. The shooter was a security guard, securing Federal facilities, no less (CNN reports). How he got that job after getting on the FBI's radar due to incidents in 2013 & 2014...who knows?

 

[Vash01]

In this case, not likely. The shooter was a security guard, securing Federal facilities, no less (CNN reports). How he got that job after getting on the FBI's radar...

Very nice. You are speaking for NRA? Security guards typically don't carry mass shooting weapons and enough ammunition to kill 50 people and 53 injured. Most of gun control is directed toward possession of military type weapons. If a mere security guard buys those weapons, it should be a red flag, no matter what he does for a living, unless he is a soldier or a police officer.

 

[Frau Muller]

Very nice. You are speaking for NRA? Security guards typically don't carry mass shooting weapons and enough ammunition to kill 50 people and 53 injured.

Being a security guard gave him the unusually easy access to the weapon(s) and huge amounts of ammo. So ridiculous to politicize this with the access-to-guns issue.

 

[Vash01]

Being a security guard gave him the unusually easy access to the weapon(s) and huge amounts of ammo. So ridiculous to politicize this with the access-to-guns issue.

Just another excuse. Every time a mass shooting happens, people find excuses - this one is yours. I already mentioned in my post that when a civilian (that's what a security guard is- he is not a soldier) purchases a military style weapon, that should be a red flag. I would consider that a part of gun control. You can believe whatever you want to.

 

[alchemy void]

Is it really that crucial to rush to classify this as a hate crime/domestic terrorism/Islamic terrorism/whatever within 8 hours of the attack?

This is devastating and i have no idea what the answers are.

 

[twinsissv]

I shudder that candidate Trump; and others like him, will use this tragedy for their own purposes.

Of course. And, as usual, it will be the President's (AND HILLARY'S) fault because all of the people who were in the club should have had guns! Instead of laughing, dancing and sharing drinks with friends, they should have been firing those weapons into the darkened room...like real Americans! Remember Paris? It was their own fault! It's always the unarmed victims' fault...isn't it? Unfortunately now the republican's 'candidate' will also use this as a new call to keep all Muslims out of the good old USA. He's so predictable.

 

[Sylvia]

Coverage by the Orlando Sentinel: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/pulse-orlando-nightclub-shooting/

 

[AYS]

Is it really that crucial to rush to classify this as a hate crime/domestic terrorism/Islamic terrorism/whatever within 8 hours of the attack?

This is devastating and i have no idea what the answers are.

I just had this exact thought just this minute looking at the headlines and the bickering about this.

 

[Wyliefan]

NBC is now reporting that the killer called 911 and swore allegiance to ISIS just before the attack.

 

[Finnice]

(((All the victims and their near ones))). Horrible news.

 

[Loves_Shizuka]

Just horrendous.

People went out for fun and to live their lives, like any of us could on a Saturday night.

...and then this.

:

I am just so sorry.

 

[manhn]

Sorry. The idea that this is not a hate crime, we have to wait for some official confirmation, is beyond my comprehension.

 

[crzesk8dad]

Awful, just awful. I gave my sons a big hug this morning. I can not imagine being the parent or loved one of a victim.

 

[Simone411]

This is what's at CNN now. They are referring to it as a terror attack. 50 people were killed and 53 people were injured. The gunman, Omar Mateen was from Ft. Pierce, Florida.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting/

This is so sickening. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the family of the victims and to the injured. I'm so sorry for all of them. <3