Mateen was armed with the assault rifle, a handgun, and possibly an explosive device. Sunday morning, when more than 230 people were packed into Pulse nightclub, police say. Grayson called the attack a 'hate crime' against the gay community.
Alan Grayson, have confirmed the man's identity as 29-year-old Omar Saddiqui Mateen of Port St. Police have not yet announced what motivated the attack, though they deemed it an act of 'domestic terrorism.' They also haven't confirmed the identity of the single gunman, who was reportedly armed with an assault-style rifle, but multiple news agencies, as well as Rep. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency, and leaders are asking for blood donors to step forward to help. At least 53 others were wounded and are in local hospitals. Update 11:15 a.m.: The shooter's father tells NBC News that his son wasn't religiously motivated but that the shooting was an anti-gay hate crime, perhaps sparked when his son recently saw two gay men kissing at Bayside Marketplace in Miami.Īt least 50 people are dead, authorities have now confirmed, in an overnight mass shooting inside a packed gay nightclub in Orlando. Update 1:12 p.m.: The City of Miami Beach announced it will hold a candlelight vigil tonight for the Pulse nightclub victims at SoundScape Park, 500 17th St., Miami Beach, at 7 p.m.
