🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:
Response:
Calculated Shard: 51 (from laksa157)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:
Response:

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:
Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:
Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄
INDEXABLE
✅
CRAWLED
2 days ago
🤖
ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

FilterStatusConditionDetails
HTTP statusPASSdownload_http_code = 200HTTP 200
Age cutoffPASSdownload_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH0.1 months ago
History dropPASSisNull(history_drop_reason)No drop reason
Spam/banPASSfh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0ml_spam_score=0
CanonicalPASSmeta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsedNot set

Page Details

PropertyValue
URLhttps://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting
Last Crawled2026-04-14 06:00:16 (2 days ago)
First Indexed2018-10-30 00:49:40 (7 years ago)
HTTP Status Code200
Meta TitleOrlando shooting: 49 killed, shooter pledged ISIS allegiance | CNN
Meta DescriptionForty-nine people were killed at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, in what marks the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
Meta Canonicalnull
Boilerpipe Text
Orlando, Florida CNN  —  An American-born man who’d pledged allegiance to ISIS gunned down 49 people early Sunday at a gay nightclub in Orlando, the deadliest mass shooting in the United States and the nation’s worst terror attack since 9/11, authorities said. Read the latest developments * The gunman, Omar Mateen, 29, of Fort Pierce, Florida, was interviewed by the FBI in 2013 and 2014 but was not found to be a threat, the FBI said. Ad Feedback Ad Feedback * Mateen called 911 during the attack to pledge allegiance to ISIS and mentioned the Boston Marathon bombers, according to a U.S. official. * Orlando police shot and killed Mateen. * Mateen’s ex-wife said she thinks he was mentally ill. Mateen carried an assault rifle and a pistol into the packed Pulse club about 2 a.m. Sunday and started shooting, killing 49 people and wounding at least 53, officials said. After a standoff of about three hours, while people trapped inside the club desperately called and messaged friends and relatives, police crashed into the building with an armored vehicle and stun grenades and killed Mateen. “It appears he was organized and well-prepared,” Orlando Police Chief John Mina said early Sunday. Authorities said they haven’t found any accomplices. 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. Timeline of Orlando nightclub shooting Omar Mir Seddique Mateen was born in 1986 in New York. Most recently he lived in Fort Pierce, about 120 miles southeast of Orlando. Fearing explosives, police evacuated about 200 people from the apartment complex where he lived while they looked through his residence for evidence. Mateen’s parents, who are from Afghanistan, said he’d expressed outrage after seeing two men kiss in Miami, but they didn’t consider him particularly religious and didn’t know of any connection he had to ISIS. He was married in 2009 to a woman originally from Uzbekistan, according to the marriage license, but he filed documents to end the marriage in 2011. Sitora Yusufiy, interviewed by CNN in Boulder, Colorado, said she and Mateen were together about four months, though it took a long time to complete the divorce because they lived in different parts of the country after separating. Mateen was a normal husband at the beginning of their marriage but started abusing her after a few months, she said. She said Mateen was bipolar, although he was not formally diagnosed. She also said Mateen had a history with steroids. He was religious but she said she doesn’t think his religion played in to the attack. Mateen had worked since 2007 as a security officer at G4S Secure Solutions , one of the world’s largest private security companies. A message posted in Arabic on a dark web site associated with the ISIS news agency Amaq said “the armed attack that targeted a gay night club in the city of Orlando in the American state of Florida and that bore more than a 100 killed and wounded was carried out by an Islamic state fighter.” But CNN’s Salma Abdelaziz, who translated the message and closely monitors ISIS messaging, cautioned about taking the message at face value. She said the language is inconsistent with previous ISIS announcements and that the Arabic word for gay was used rather than an epithet normally used by ISIS. Also, there was no claim that the attack was directed, just an after-the-fact claim the gunman was an ISIS fighter, she said. At a Sunday afternoon news briefing, FBI Assistant Special Agent Ronald Hopper said the agency was aware of Mateen. The FBI interviewed him in 2013 and 2014 after he expressed sympathy for a suicide bomber, Hopper said. “Those interviews turned out to be inconclusive, so there was nothing to keep the investigation going,” Hopper said. Mateen was not under investigation at the time of Sunday’s shooting and was not under surveillance, Hopper said. In the past two weeks Mateen legally purchased a Glock pistol and a long gun, ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Trevor Velinor told reporters. It’s not known if those weapons were used in the attack. “He is not a prohibited person. They can legally walk into a gun dealership and acquire and purchase firearms. He did so. And he did so within the last week or so,” Velinor said. Pulse describes itself as “the hottest gay bar” in the heart of Orlando. Hours before the shooting, the club urged partygoers to attend its “Latin flavor” event Saturday night. The club is a vast, open space that was hosting more than 300 patrons late Saturday and into Sunday morning. People inside the cavernous nightclub described a scene of panic made more confusing by the loud music and darkness. “At first it sounded like it was part of the show because there was an event going on and we were all having a good time,” clubgoer Andy Moss said. “But once people started screaming and shots just keep ringing out, you know that it’s not a show anymore.” Christopher Hansen said he was getting a drink at the bar about 2 a.m. when he “just saw bodies going down.” He heard gunshots, “just one after another after another.” The gunshots went on for so long that the shooting “could have lasted a whole song,” he said. When the shots erupted, Hansen hit the ground, crawling on his elbows and knees, before he spotted a man who had been shot. “I took my bandana off and shoved it in the hole in his back,” Hansen said, adding that he saw another woman who appeared to be shot in the arm. Orlando nightclub shooting 1 of 20 Survivors provided CNN with dramatic accounts of how they avoided death. One person hiding in the bathroom covered herself with bodies to protect herself. Some entertainers hid in a dressing room when the shooting started and escaped the building by crawling out when police removed the air conditioning unit. One of the bartenders said she hid under the glass bar. Police came in and said, “If you are alive, raise your hand.” Then police got her and others out. After the initial shooting, police surrounded the club while Mateen was inside with clubgoers hiding in bathrooms and other parts of the building. People inside the club were communicating on their phones with law enforcement from that time until around 5 a.m., when authorities used an armored vehicle to break down the door of the building. Thirty-nine people and Mateen were pronounced dead at the scene, with two bodies found in the parking lot, Mayor Buddy Dyer said. Eleven people were taken to hospitals and pronounced dead there, he said. The City of Orlando is posting names of the deceased on a website after next of kin are notified. The youngest person among the first seven named, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, was 20 years old. Forty-three of the wounded people were patients on Sunday afternoon at Orlando Regional Medical Center, a hospital spokesperson said, with 26 operations being performed. Blood donors rush to help in Orlando Before Sunday, the deadliest shootings in U.S. history were at Virginia Tech in 2007 and Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, with 32 and 27 killed. Fourteen people were killed December 2 i n an attack in San Berardino, California. National media attention was already focused on Orlando over the weekend because of Friday night’s fatal shooting of Christina Grimmie while she signed autographs after a show. She was an up-and-coming singer who had appeared on NBC’s “The Voice.” Her shooter then killed himself. The Pulse shooting happened only a few miles from the Plaza Live theater, where Grimmie was killed. Dyer, the mayor, called for the city to come together. “We need to support each other. We need to love each other. And we will not be defined by a hateful shooter,” he said. President Obama called for flags to be lowered to half staff and Florida Gov. Rick Scott called for a moment of silence across the nation at 6 p.m. Sunday. States of emergency were declared for the city of Orlando and for Orange County. Also on Sunday, authorities in West Hollywood, California, arrested 20-year-old James Wesley Howell. They said they found an arsenal in his car that included, three assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, ammunition and a five-gallon bucket with chemicals that could be used to create an explosive device, officials said. At 5 a.m. PT, police got a call about a prowler and found Howell, who told authorities he was looking for a friend to attend the LA Pride festival. There was no indication the arrest was related to the Orlando attack. America’s deadliest mass shootings Eleven Orlando police officers and three sheriff’s deputies who exchanged gunfire with the suspect will be temporarily relieved of duty pending an investigation. One officer suffered an eye injury when a bullet struck his Kevlar helmet, said Danny Banks, special agent in charge of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Orlando bureau. The helmet saved the officer’s life, Banks said. Orlando shooting sparks gun control, language debates The attacks were denounced on Sunday by numerous groups, including the Vatican, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “This is a hate crime, plain and simple,” CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said. “We condemn it in the strongest possible terms.” Nadine Smith of Equality Florida said groups are planning vigils around the nation. “It has just been a devastating day but people are starting to rally,” she said. Barbara Poma, owner of the Orlando nightclub Pulse, released the following statement on Sunday: “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.” CNN’s terrorism analyst Paul Cruickshank, John Couwels, Joe Sutton, Vivian Kuo, Deborah Bloom, Pamela Brown, Evan Perez, Shimon Prokupecz, and MaryLynn Ryan contributed to this report.
Markdown
Thank You\! Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated. Close Ad Feedback [US](https://cnn.com/us) [Crime & Justice](https://www.cnn.com/us/crime-and-justice) [Immigration](https://www.cnn.com/us/immigration) [Education](https://www.cnn.com/us/education) [Transportation](https://www.cnn.com/us/transportation) [Race & Identity](https://www.cnn.com/us/race-and-identity) [More]() [Crime & Justice](https://www.cnn.com/us/crime-and-justice) [Immigration](https://www.cnn.com/us/immigration) [Education](https://www.cnn.com/us/education) [Transportation](https://www.cnn.com/us/transportation) [Race & Identity](https://www.cnn.com/us/race-and-identity) [Watch](https://www.cnn.com/subscription/all-access) [Listen](https://www.cnn.com/audio) Subscribe Sign in My Account - [Settings](https://www.cnn.com/account/settings) - [Newsletters](https://www.cnn.com/newsletters) - [Topics you follow](https://www.cnn.com/follow?iid=fw_var-nav) - [Sign out](https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting) Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account *** Sign in My Account - [Settings](https://www.cnn.com/account/settings) - [Newsletters](https://www.cnn.com/newsletters) - [Topics you follow](https://www.cnn.com/follow?iid=fw_var-nav) - [Sign out](https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting) Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account *** [Listen](https://www.cnn.com/audio) [Watch](https://www.cnn.com/subscription/all-access) *** Edition [US](https://us.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) [International](https://edition.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) [Arabic](https://arabic.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) [Español](https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) Edition - [US](https://us.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) - [International](https://edition.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) - [Arabic](https://arabic.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) - [Español](https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) *** [Crime & Justice](https://www.cnn.com/us/crime-and-justice) [Immigration](https://www.cnn.com/us/immigration) [Education](https://www.cnn.com/us/education) [Transportation](https://www.cnn.com/us/transportation) [Race & Identity](https://www.cnn.com/us/race-and-identity) *** Follow CNN Download the CNN App *** - [US](https://www.cnn.com/us) - [Crime & Justice](https://www.cnn.com/us/crime-and-justice) - [Immigration](https://www.cnn.com/us/immigration) - [Education](https://www.cnn.com/us/education) - [Transportation](https://www.cnn.com/us/transportation) - [Race & Identity](https://www.cnn.com/us/race-and-identity) - [World](https://www.cnn.com/world) - [Africa](https://www.cnn.com/world/africa) - [Americas](https://www.cnn.com/world/americas) - [Asia](https://www.cnn.com/world/asia) - [Australia](https://www.cnn.com/world/australia) - [China](https://www.cnn.com/world/china) - [Europe](https://www.cnn.com/world/europe) - [India](https://www.cnn.com/world/india) - [Middle East](https://www.cnn.com/world/middle-east) - [United Kingdom](https://www.cnn.com/world/united-kingdom) - [Politics](https://www.cnn.com/politics) - [Elections 2026](https://www.cnn.com/election/2026) - [Trump](https://www.cnn.com/politics/president-donald-trump-47) - [Facts First](https://www.cnn.com/politics/fact-check) - [CNN Polls](https://www.cnn.com/polling) - [Redistricting Tracker](https://www.cnn.com/politics/state-redistricting-maps-vis/index.html) - [Epstein Files](https://www.cnn.com/politics/epstein-files) - [Business](https://www.cnn.com/business) - [Tech](https://www.cnn.com/business/tech) - [Media](https://www.cnn.com/business/media) - [Calculators](https://www.cnn.com/business/financial-calculators) - [Videos](https://www.cnn.com/business/videos) - [Markets](https://www.cnn.com/markets) - [Pre-markets](https://www.cnn.com/markets/premarkets) - [After-Hours](https://www.cnn.com/markets/after-hours) - [Fear & Greed](https://www.cnn.com/markets/fear-and-greed) - [Investing](https://www.cnn.com/business/investing) - [Markets Now](https://www.cnn.com/business/markets-now) - [Nightcap](https://www.cnn.com/business/markets/nightcap) - [Health](https://www.cnn.com/health) - [Life, But Better](https://www.cnn.com/interactive/life-but-better/) - [Fitness](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/fitness) - [Food](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/food) - [Sleep](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/sleep) - [Mindfulness](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/mindfulness) - [Relationships](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/relationships) - [CNN Underscored](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored) - [Electronics](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/electronics) - [Fashion](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/fashion) - [Beauty](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/beauty) - [Health & Fitness](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/health-fitness) - [Home](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/home) - [Reviews](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews) - [Deals](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/deals) - [Money](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/money) - [Gifts](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/gifts) - [Travel](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/travel) - [Outdoors](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/outdoors) - [Pets](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/pets) - [Entertainment](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment) - [Movies](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/movies) - [Television](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/tv-shows) - [Celebrity](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/celebrities) - [Tech](https://www.cnn.com/business/tech) - [Innovate](https://www.cnn.com/business/tech/innovate) - [Style](https://www.cnn.com/style) - [Arts](https://www.cnn.com/style/arts) - [Design](https://www.cnn.com/style/design) - [Fashion](https://www.cnn.com/style/fashion) - [Architecture](https://www.cnn.com/style/architecture) - [Luxury](https://www.cnn.com/style/luxury) - [Beauty](https://www.cnn.com/style/beauty) - [Video](https://www.cnn.com/style/videos) - [Travel](https://www.cnn.com/travel) - [Destinations](https://www.cnn.com/travel/destinations) - [Food & Drink](https://www.cnn.com/travel/food-and-drink) - [Stay](https://www.cnn.com/travel/stay) - [Videos](https://www.cnn.com/travel/videos) - [Sports](https://www.cnn.com/sports) - [NFL](https://www.cnn.com/sport/nfl) - [NBA](https://www.cnn.com/sport/nba) - [MLB](https://www.cnn.com/sport/mlb) - [WNBA](https://www.cnn.com/sport/wnba) - [Golf](https://www.cnn.com/sport/golf) - [Soccer](https://www.cnn.com/sport/soccer) - [Tennis](https://www.cnn.com/sport/tennis) - [Motorsport](https://www.cnn.com/sport/motorsport) - [College Sports](https://www.cnn.com/sport/college-sports) - [Olympics](https://www.cnn.com/sport/milan-cortina-winter-olympics-2026) - [Bleacher Report](https://bleacherreport.com/) - [Science](https://www.cnn.com/science) - [Space](https://www.cnn.com/science/space) - [Life](https://www.cnn.com/science/life) - [Unearthed](https://www.cnn.com/science/unearthed) - [Climate](https://www.cnn.com/climate) - [Solutions](https://www.cnn.com/climate/solutions) - [Weather](https://www.cnn.com/weather) - [Weather](https://www.cnn.com/weather) - [Video](https://www.cnn.com/weather/video) - [Climate](https://www.cnn.com/climate) - [Ukraine-Russia War](https://www.cnn.com/world/europe/ukraine) - [Israel-Hamas War](https://www.cnn.com/world/middleeast/israel) - [Watch](https://www.cnn.com/watch) - [Featured](https://www.cnn.com/watch) - [Shows & Films](https://www.cnn.com/watch#shows-films) - [Network TV](https://www.cnn.com/videos/live) - [Clips](https://www.cnn.com/videos) - [CNN Headlines](https://www.cnn.com/videos/fast/cnn-headlines) - [Shows A-Z](https://www.cnn.com/tv/all-shows) - [CNN 10](https://www.cnn10.com/) - [CNN TV Schedule](https://www.cnn.com/tv/schedule/cnn) - [Listen](https://www.cnn.com/audio) - [All There Is with Anderson Cooper](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/all-there-is-with-anderson-cooper) - [Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/chasing-life) - [The Assignment with Audie Cornish](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/the-assignment) - [Terms of Service with Clare Duffy](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/terms-of-service-with-clare-duffy) - [CNN 5 Things](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/5-things) - [All CNN Podcasts](https://www.cnn.com/audio) - [Games](https://www.cnn.com/games) - [Daily Crossword](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/cnn-crossword) - [Jumble Crossword](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/jumble-crossword-daily) - [Photo Shuffle](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/photo-shuffle) - [Sudoblock](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/sudoblock) - [Sudoku](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/daily-sudoku) - [5 Things Quiz](https://cnn.it/5thingsquiz) - [About CNN](https://www.cnn.com/about) - [Subscribe](https://www.cnn.com/subscription?source=sub_web_footersubnav-link) - [Photos](https://www.cnn.com/world/photos) - [Investigations](https://www.cnn.com/us/cnn-investigates) - [CNN Profiles](https://www.cnn.com/profiles) - [CNN Leadership](https://www.cnn.com/profiles/cnn-leadership) - [CNN Newsletters](https://www.cnn.com/newsletters) - [Work for CNN](https://careers.wbd.com/cnnjobs) *** Download the CNN App # Orlando shooting: 49 killed, shooter pledged ISIS allegiance [![Ashley Fantz](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)](https://www.cnn.com/profiles/ashley-fantz-profile) [![Faith Karimi](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)](https://www.cnn.com/profiles/faith-karimi) [![Eliott C. McLaughlin](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)](https://www.cnn.com/profiles/eliott-c-mclaughlin-profile) By Ralph Ellis, [Ashley Fantz](https://www.cnn.com/profiles/ashley-fantz-profile), [Faith Karimi](https://www.cnn.com/profiles/faith-karimi) and [Eliott C. McLaughlin](https://www.cnn.com/profiles/eliott-c-mclaughlin-profile), CNN 8 min read Updated 11:05 AM EDT, Mon June 13, 2016 Link Copied\! **Unable to load video** Please try again later. Error occurred while fetching labs Subtitles - Off Video Ad Feedback How the Orlando nightclub shooting unfolded 01:28 • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) Orlando Nightclub Mass Shooting 31 videos ![A shooting and multiple injuries were reported at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Police: Shooter inside the nightclub is dead 01:25 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![orlando pulse club shooting update newday\_00013602.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Police: 'Mass casualty situation' at Orlando nightclub 02:18 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![florida nightclub shooting sanchez cnn nr lklv\_00005304.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Several injured in Florida nightclub shooting 02:33 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Orlando Police officers direct family members away from a multiple shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman opened fire at a nightclub in central Florida, and multiple people have been wounded, police said Sunday. ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback How the Orlando nightclub shooting unfolded 01:28 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![exp orlando nightclub shooting timeline kaye pkg ac\_00003416.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) How Orlando shooting unfolded, as seen via texts 02:52 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![exp fire lieutenant on duty during orlando shooting brooke baldwin intv ac\_00010130.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback First responder on Orlando shooting 02:02 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Orlando the city beautiful strong orig\_00013107.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Orlando: The city beautiful 01:42 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: (AFP-OUT) US President Barack Obama speaks on the Orlando shooting at the Treasury Department after convening with his National Security Council on June 14, 2016 in Washington, DC. Obama directly attacked Donald Trump's proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States. (Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo-Pool/Getty Images)](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Key moments: Obama's 'radical Islam' pushback 01:36 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![orlando shooting seddique mateen lemon ctv intv\_00003610.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Orlando shooter's dad: I didn't notice anything 01:39 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![The Orlando Police Department released this photo of Omar Mateen, the person identified as the shooter in the Orlando terror attack.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Officials: FBI had investigated Orlando gunman 01:23 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![marco rubio orlando shooting wolf intv\_00000424.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Rubio on shooting: I fear 'we will see more of this' 01:34 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![An image taken from Omar Mateen's Myspace page. Law enforcement sources identified Mateen as the shooter in the Orlando terror attack.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160612120738-omar-mateen-orlando-shooting-suspect.jpg?q=x_456,y_64,h_619,w_1100,c_crop/w_250) Video Ad Feedback Gunman called 911, claimed allegiance to ISIS 02:21 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Orlando shooting gunman ex wife presser bts\_00002018.jpg](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160612201937-orlando-shooting-gunman-ex-wife-presser-bts-00002018.jpg?q=x_499,y_126,h_648,w_1153,c_crop/w_250) Video Ad Feedback Ex-wife of Orlando shooter speaks out 01:09 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![A shooting and multiple injuries were reported at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Eyewitness records video of police storming club 02:20 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![president obama orlando shootings press conference sot\_00004511.jpg](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160612140836-president-obama-orlando-shootings-press-conference-sot-00004511.jpg?q=x_255,y_16,h_674,w_1199,c_crop/w_250) Video Ad Feedback Obama: This was an attack on all of us 00:47 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![orlando shootings andy moss intv\_00004803](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160612165908-orlando-shootings-andy-moss-intv-00004803.jpg?q=x_2,y_0,h_1078,w_1915,c_crop/w_250) Video Ad Feedback Witness: 'No bullet could ever break a friendship' 02:44 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![orlando shootings muslim leader\_00000919.jpg](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160612172544-orlando-shootings-muslim-leader-00000919.jpg?q=x_238,y_0,h_874,w_1554,c_crop/w_250) Video Ad Feedback Muslim leader to ISIS: 'You do not speak for us' 01:08 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Orlando Nightclub shooting pulse](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160612054737-orlando-nightclub-shooting-pulse.jpg?q=x_50,y_53,h_857,w_1523,c_crop/w_250) Video Ad Feedback Mayor: 50 dead in Orlando nightclub shooting 01:10 Now playing • Source: [WFTV](http://www.wftv.com/) ![orlando shootings dj ray rivera burnett intv\_00001130.jpg](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160612195303-orlando-shootings-dj-ray-rivera-burnett-intv-00001130.jpg?q=x_109,y_0,h_816,w_1451,c_crop/w_250) Video Ad Feedback Pulse DJ recounts shooting inside Orlando nightclub 01:04 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![orlando nightclub shooting witness sot\_00000318.jpg](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160612085703-orlando-nightclub-shooting-witness-sot-00000318.jpg?q=x_0,y_0,h_1080,w_1919,c_fill/w_250) Video Ad Feedback Witness: 'Blood everywhere' after Orlando club shooting 00:55 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![orlando shootings victims names\_00003311.jpg](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160612163808-orlando-shootings-victims-names-00003311.jpg?q=x_51,y_17,h_748,w_1330,c_crop/w_250) Video Ad Feedback Victims in the Orlando shooting named 00:34 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Orlando shooting medical response brown beeper\_00011112.jpg](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160612163715-orlando-shooting-medical-response-brown-beeper-00011112.jpg?q=x_509,y_172,h_619,w_1100,c_crop/w_250) Video Ad Feedback How did the Orlando medical center respond? 02:11 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![orlando nightclub shootout vo wolf\_00003410.jpg](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160612131539-orlando-nightclub-shootout-vo-wolf-00003410.jpg?q=x_193,y_132,h_640,w_1137,c_crop/w_250) Video Ad Feedback Orlando nightclub shootout caught on camera 00:48 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![December 16, 2012 -- The shooting at Newton killed 20 children and six adults. At the memorial service, President Obama also cited the deadly shootings at Oak Creek and Aurora. "In the coming weeks, I will use whatever power this office holds to engage my fellow citizens -- from law enforcement to mental health professionals to parents and educators -- in an effort aimed at preventing more tragedies like this," said the president. ](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/130425115505-08-mourner-in-chief.jpg?q=x_4,y_335,h_1864,w_3312,c_crop/w_250) Video Ad Feedback Responding in the midst of tragedy 02:34 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Orlando police officers seen outside of Pulse nightclub.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160612111152-14-orlando-shooting-0612.jpg?q=x_0,y_0,h_1125,w_1999,c_fill/w_250) Video Ad Feedback Witness: We thought gunshots were 'part of the music' 05:24 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![orlando shootings hamid karzai intv\_00000418.jpg](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160612155605-orlando-shootings-hamid-karzai-intv-00000418.jpg?q=x_224,y_2,h_761,w_1353,c_crop/w_250) Video Ad Feedback Former Afghan Pres.: We condemn deadly Orlando attack 01:15 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![A target sheet hangs at a shooting range July 22 in Aurora, Colorado.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/120730035129-frum-target.jpg?q=x_0,y_260,h_2821,w_5016,c_crop/w_250) How police respond in 'active shooter' situations 02:20 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![psychology of terror sanjay gupta nws orig\_00002811.jpg](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160324190825-psychology-of-terror-sanjay-gupta-nws-orig-00002811.jpg?q=x_285,y_0,h_619,w_1100,c_crop/w_250) Video Ad Feedback The psychology of terror 01:25 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![orlando nightclub shooter omar mateen photo tapper \_00000301.jpg](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160612122351-orlando-nightclub-shooter-omar-mateen-photo-tapper-00000301.jpg?q=x_409,y_0,h_619,w_1100,c_crop/w_250) Video Ad Feedback Orlando nightclub shooter identified 02:22 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Handguns that were swapped for gift cards during a Los Angeles Police Department sponsored gun buyback event in Los Angeles, California on December 13, 2014. The city held the event in three locations and the public were able safely and anonymously surrender firearms in exchange for \$100 and \$200 gift cards. AFP PHOTO/MARK RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/151002114632-gun-buyback-la-dec-2014.jpg?q=x_4,y_318,h_2048,w_3640,c_crop/w_250) Video Ad Feedback Survivors of gun violence are fed up 02:19 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![orlando nightclub shooting police press conference sot\_00001921.jpg](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160612074106-orlando-nightclub-shooting-police-press-conference-sot-00001921.jpg?q=x_289,y_89,h_619,w_1100,c_crop/w_250) Police: Approx. 20 dead in Orlando nightclub shooting 01:39 Now playing • Source: [WKMG](http://www.cnn.com/) ![A shooting and multiple injuries were reported at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Police: Shooter inside the nightclub is dead 01:25 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![orlando pulse club shooting update newday\_00013602.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Police: 'Mass casualty situation' at Orlando nightclub 02:18 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![florida nightclub shooting sanchez cnn nr lklv\_00005304.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Several injured in Florida nightclub shooting 02:33 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Orlando Police officers direct family members away from a multiple shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman opened fire at a nightclub in central Florida, and multiple people have been wounded, police said Sunday. ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback How the Orlando nightclub shooting unfolded 01:28 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![exp orlando nightclub shooting timeline kaye pkg ac\_00003416.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) How Orlando shooting unfolded, as seen via texts 02:52 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![exp fire lieutenant on duty during orlando shooting brooke baldwin intv ac\_00010130.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback First responder on Orlando shooting 02:02 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) See more videos Orlando, Florida CNN — An American-born man who’d pledged allegiance to ISIS gunned down 49 people early Sunday at a gay nightclub in Orlando, the deadliest mass shooting in the United States and the nation’s worst terror attack since 9/11, authorities said. [Read the latest developments](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/13/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting/index.html) \* The gunman, Omar Mateen, 29, of Fort Pierce, Florida, was interviewed by the FBI in 2013 and 2014 but was not found to be a threat, the FBI said. Ad Feedback Ad Feedback ### Related coverage [FBI had investigated gunman](http://cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-shooter-omar-mateen/index.html) [Gunman’s ex: He was abusive](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-gay-nightclub-shooting-live-blog/index.html) [How to help victims](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/how-to-help-victims-after-worst-mass-shooting-in-u-s-history/) [How the shooting unfolded](http://cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-shooting-timeline/index.html) [Shootout caught on camera](http://cnn.com/videos/us/2016/06/12/orlando-nightclub-shootout-vo-wolf.cnn) [Why U.S. has most mass shootings](http://cnn.com/2015/08/27/health/u-s-most-mass-shootings/index.html) [Pulse: More than just a gay club](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-pulse-nightclub/index.html) [Opinion: Real threat is homegrown](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/opinions/orlando-homegrown-terror-bergen/index.html) [‘If you are alive, raise your hand’](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-shooting-as-it-happened/index.html) [Obama: ‘Act of terror and hate’](http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/06/12/president-obama-orlando-shootings-full-statement.cnn) \* Mateen called 911 during the attack to pledge allegiance to ISIS and mentioned the Boston Marathon bombers, according to a U.S. official. \* Orlando police shot and killed Mateen. \* Mateen’s ex-wife said she thinks he was mentally ill. Mateen carried an assault rifle and a pistol into the packed Pulse club about 2 a.m. Sunday and started shooting, killing 49 people and wounding at least 53, officials said. After a standoff of about three hours, while people trapped inside the club desperately called and messaged friends and relatives, police crashed into the building with an armored vehicle and stun grenadesand killed Mateen. [![Ray Rivera, a DJ at Pulse Orlando nightclub, is consoled by a friend, outside of the Orlando Police Department after a shooting involving multiple fatalities at the nightclub, Sunday, June 12. ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Ray Rivera, a DJ at Pulse Orlando nightclub, is consoled by a friend, outside of the Orlando Police Department after a shooting involving multiple fatalities at the nightclub, Sunday, June 12. Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/AP Related article Live updates: Latest news on Orlando shootings](https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/13/us/orlando-gay-nightclub-shooting-live-blog/index.html) “It appears he was organized and well-prepared,” Orlando Police Chief John Mina said early Sunday. Authorities said they haven’t found any accomplices. ## ‘An act of hate’ 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. [![president obama orlando shootings press conference sot\_00002630.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) president obama orlando shootings press conference sot\_00002630.jpg CNN video Related video President Obama: 'This was an act of terror and hate'](https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/06/12/president-obama-orlando-shootings-full-statement.cnn) [Timeline of Orlando nightclub shooting](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-shooting-timeline/index.html) Omar Mir Seddique Mateen was born in 1986 in New York. Most recently he lived in Fort Pierce, about 120 miles southeast of Orlando. Fearing explosives, police evacuated about 200 people from the apartment complex where he lived while they looked through his residence for evidence. Mateen’s parents, who are from Afghanistan, said he’d expressed outrage after seeing two men kiss in Miami, but they didn’t consider him particularly religious and didn’t know of any connection he had to ISIS. ![Omar Mir Seddique Mateen ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Omar Mir Seddique Mateen Facebook He was married in 2009 to a woman originally from Uzbekistan, according to the marriage license, but he filed documents to end the marriage in 2011. Sitora Yusufiy, interviewed by CNN in Boulder, Colorado, said she and Mateen were together about four months, though it took a long time to complete the divorce because they lived in different parts of the country after separating. Mateen was a normal husband at the beginning of their marriage but started abusing her after a few months, she said. She said Mateen was bipolar, although he was not formally diagnosed. She also said Mateen had a history with steroids. He was religious but she said she doesn’t think his religion played in to the attack. Mateen had worked since 2007 [as a security officer at G4S Secure Solutions](http://money.cnn.com/2016/06/12/news/companies/orlando-shooter-employer/index.html?section=money_latest), one of the world’s largest private security companies. A message posted in Arabic on a dark web site associated with the ISIS news agency Amaq said “the armed attack that targeted a gay night club in the city of Orlando in the American state of Florida and that bore more than a 100 killed and wounded was carried out by an Islamic state fighter.” But CNN’s Salma Abdelaziz, who translated the message and closely monitors ISIS messaging, cautioned about taking the message at face value. She said the language is inconsistent with previous ISIS announcements and that the Arabic word for gay was used rather than an epithet normally used by ISIS. Also, there was no claim that the attack was directed, just an after-the-fact claim the gunman was an ISIS fighter, she said. At a Sunday afternoon news briefing, FBI Assistant Special Agent Ronald Hopper said the agency was aware of Mateen. The FBI interviewed him in 2013 and 2014 after he expressed sympathy for a suicide bomber, Hopper said. “Those interviews turned out to be inconclusive, so there was nothing to keep the investigation going,” Hopper said. Mateen was not under investigation at the time of Sunday’s shooting and was not under surveillance, Hopper said. In the past two weeks Mateen legally purchased a Glock pistol and a long gun, ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Trevor Velinor told reporters. It’s not known if those weapons were used in the attack. “He is not a prohibited person. They can legally walk into a gun dealership and acquire and purchase firearms. He did so. And he did so within the last week or so,” Velinor said. ## Scene inside the club Pulse [describes itself](http://www.pulseorlandoclub.com/) as “the hottest gay bar” in the heart of Orlando. Hours before the shooting, the club urged partygoers to attend its “Latin flavor” event Saturday night. The club is a vast, open space that was hosting more than 300 patrons late Saturday and into Sunday morning. People inside the cavernous nightclub described a scene of panic made more confusing by the loud music and darkness. “At first it sounded like it was part of the show because there was an event going on and we were all having a good time,” clubgoer Andy Moss said. “But once people started screaming and shots just keep ringing out, you know that it’s not a show anymore.” Christopher Hansen said he was getting a drink at the bar about 2 a.m. when he “just saw bodies going down.” He heard gunshots, “just one after another after another.” The gunshots went on for so long that the shooting “could have lasted a whole song,” he said. When the shots erupted, Hansen hit the ground, crawling on his elbows and knees, before he spotted a man who had been shot. “I took my bandana off and shoved it in the hole in his back,” Hansen said, adding that he saw another woman who appeared to be shot in the arm. ![Bystanders wait at the scene.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Bystanders wait at the scene. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP ![Police officers respond to the scene of the shooting. ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Police officers respond to the scene of the shooting. Univision Florida Central/EPA ![Police investigate the back of the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Sunday, June 12. At least 49 people were killed there by Omar Mateen, who was shot and killed by Orlando police. It was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Police investigate the back of the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Sunday, June 12. At least 49 people were killed there by Omar Mateen, who was shot and killed by Orlando police. It was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP ![Bodies arrive at the medical examiner's office on June 12.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Bodies arrive at the medical examiner's office on June 12. Alan Diaz/AP ![Friends and family react after a list of hospitalized victims is released June 12 outside a hotel near the Orlando Regional Medical Center.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Friends and family react after a list of hospitalized victims is released June 12 outside a hotel near the Orlando Regional Medical Center. Loren Elliott/Cal Sport Media/Zuma Press ![Pastor Kelvin Cobaris embraces Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, right, and Terry DeCarlo, executive director of the LGBT Center of Central Florida, on June 12.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Pastor Kelvin Cobaris embraces Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, right, and Terry DeCarlo, executive director of the LGBT Center of Central Florida, on June 12. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP ![Jeremy Glatstein donates blood in Orlando on June 12. He drove an hour to the donation center to show his support for the shooting victims.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Jeremy Glatstein donates blood in Orlando on June 12. He drove an hour to the donation center to show his support for the shooting victims. Courtesy David Waters ![A bomb disposal unit checks for explosives around the apartment building where Mateen is believed to have lived in Fort Pierce, Florida. ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) A bomb disposal unit checks for explosives around the apartment building where Mateen is believed to have lived in Fort Pierce, Florida. Joe Raedle/Getty Images ![Ray Rivera, a DJ at the nightclub, is consoled by a friend outside of the Orlando Police Department.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Ray Rivera, a DJ at the nightclub, is consoled by a friend outside of the Orlando Police Department. Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/AP ![Florida Gov. Rick Scott arrives at the scene.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Florida Gov. Rick Scott arrives at the scene. Joe Burbank/AP ![Police gather outside the home in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where Mateen's father lives.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Police gather outside the home in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where Mateen's father lives. CNN ![Police officers gather outside of the nightclub, which describes itself as "the hottest gay bar" in the heart of Orlando.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Police officers gather outside of the nightclub, which describes itself as "the hottest gay bar" in the heart of Orlando. Gerardo Mora/Getty Images ![Ron Hopper of the FBI answers questions from members of the media on June 12. Listening are Orlando Police Chief John Mina, left, and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Ron Hopper of the FBI answers questions from members of the media on June 12. Listening are Orlando Police Chief John Mina, left, and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP ![A police officer stands guard outside the Orlando Regional Medical Center.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) A police officer stands guard outside the Orlando Regional Medical Center. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP ![A SWAT team member arrives at the scene of the shooting.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) A SWAT team member arrives at the scene of the shooting. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP ![Medical personnel wait with stretchers at the Orlando Regional Medical Center.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Medical personnel wait with stretchers at the Orlando Regional Medical Center. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP ![People wait for news outside the emergency entrance of the hospital.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) People wait for news outside the emergency entrance of the hospital. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP ![Police in Orlando direct family members away from the scene of the shooting.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Police in Orlando direct family members away from the scene of the shooting. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP ![Shooting victims are attended to by emergency responders outside the club. ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Shooting victims are attended to by emergency responders outside the club. Univision Florida Central/EPA ![Emergency personnel gather outside the nightclub.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Emergency personnel gather outside the nightclub. Unision Florida Central/EPA ![Bystanders wait at the scene.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Bystanders wait at the scene. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP ![Police officers respond to the scene of the shooting. ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Police officers respond to the scene of the shooting. Univision Florida Central/EPA ![Police investigate the back of the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Sunday, June 12. At least 49 people were killed there by Omar Mateen, who was shot and killed by Orlando police. It was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Police investigate the back of the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Sunday, June 12. At least 49 people were killed there by Omar Mateen, who was shot and killed by Orlando police. It was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP ![Bodies arrive at the medical examiner's office on June 12.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Bodies arrive at the medical examiner's office on June 12. Alan Diaz/AP ##### Orlando nightclub shooting 1 of 20 Prev Next Survivors provided CNN with dramatic accounts of how they avoided death. One person hiding in the bathroom covered herself with bodies to protect herself. Some entertainers hid in a dressing room when the shooting started and escaped the building by crawling out when police removed the air conditioning unit. One of the bartenders said she hid under the glass bar. Police came in and said, “If you are alive, raise your hand.” Then police got her and others out. After the initial shooting, police surrounded the club while Mateen was inside with clubgoers hiding in bathrooms and other parts of the building. People inside the club were communicating on their phones with law enforcement from that time until around 5 a.m., when authorities used an armored vehicle to break down the door of the building. ## Hospital swamped with victims Thirty-nine people and Mateen were pronounced dead at the scene, with two bodies found in the parking lot, Mayor Buddy Dyer said. Eleven people were taken to hospitals and pronounced dead there, he said. The City of Orlando is [posting names of the deceased on a website](http://www.cityoforlando.net/blog/victims/) after next of kin are notified. The youngest person among the first seven named, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, was 20 years old. Forty-three of the wounded people were patients on Sunday afternoon at Orlando Regional Medical Center, a hospital spokesperson said, with 26 operations being performed. [Blood donors rush to help in Orlando](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/health/orlando-blood-donors/index.html) Before Sunday, the deadliest shootings in U.S. history were at Virginia Tech in 2007 and Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, with 32 and 27 killed. Fourteen people were killed December 2 i[n an attack in San Berardino, California.](http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/06/us/san-bernardino-shooting-what-we-know/) [![Parents wait for news after a reports of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Joel Auerbach)](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Parents wait for news after a reports of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Joel Auerbach) Joel Auerbach/AP gallery Related gallery Worst mass shootings in U.S.](https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/19/us/gallery/worst-shootings-in-us/index.html) National media attention was already focused on Orlando over the weekend because of [Friday night’s fatal shooting of Christina Grimmie](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/11/entertainment/orlando-christina-grimmie-shot/index.html) while she signed autographs after a show. She was an up-and-coming singer who had appeared on NBC’s “The Voice.” Her shooter then killed himself. The Pulse shooting happened only a few miles from the Plaza Live theater, where Grimmie was killed. Dyer, the mayor, called for the city to come together. “We need to support each other. We need to love each other. And we will not be defined by a hateful shooter,” he said. President Obama called for flags to be lowered to half staff and Florida Gov. Rick Scott called for a moment of silence across the nation at 6 p.m. Sunday. States of emergency were declared for the city of Orlando and for Orange County. ## Santa Monica arrest Also on Sunday, authorities in West Hollywood, California, arrested 20-year-old James Wesley Howell. They said they found an arsenal in his car that included, three assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, ammunition and a five-gallon bucket with chemicals that could be used to create an explosive device, officials said. At 5 a.m. PT, police got a call about a prowler and found Howell, who told authorities he was looking for a friend to attend the LA Pride festival. There was no indication the arrest was related to the Orlando attack. [![orlando nightclub shooting police press conference sot\_00001921.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) orlando nightclub shooting police press conference sot\_00001921.jpg WKMG video Related video Police: Approx. 20 dead in Orlando nightclub shooting](https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/06/12/orlando-nightclub-shooting-police-press-conference-sot.wkmg) [America’s deadliest mass shootings](http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/16/us/20-deadliest-mass-shootings-in-u-s-history-fast-facts/) ## Police on leave Eleven Orlando police officers and three sheriff’s deputies who exchanged gunfire with the suspect will be temporarily relieved of duty pending an investigation. One officer suffered an eye injury when a bullet struck his Kevlar helmet, said Danny Banks, special agent in charge of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Orlando bureau. The helmet saved the officer’s life, Banks said. [Orlando shooting sparks gun control, language debates](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/politics/orlando-shooting-gun-control-islamic-terrorism/index.html) ## ‘This is a hate crime’ The attacks were denounced on Sunday by numerous groups, including the Vatican, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and the Council on American-Islamic Relations. [![orlando shootings muslim leader\_00000919.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) orlando shootings muslim leader\_00000919.jpg video Related video Muslim leader to ISIS: 'You do not speak for us'](https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/06/12/orlando-shootings-muslim-leader.cnn) “This is a hate crime, plain and simple,” CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said. “We condemn it in the strongest possible terms.” Nadine Smith of Equality Florida said groups are planning vigils around the nation. “It has just been a devastating day but people are starting to rally,” she said. Barbara Poma, owner of the Orlando nightclub Pulse, released the following statement on Sunday: “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.” CNN’s terrorism analyst Paul Cruickshank, John Couwels, Joe Sutton, Vivian Kuo, Deborah Bloom, Pamela Brown, Evan Perez, Shimon Prokupecz, and MaryLynn Ryan contributed to this report. Ad Feedback Ad Feedback Ad Feedback Subscribe Sign in My Account - [Settings](https://www.cnn.com/account/settings) - [Newsletters](https://www.cnn.com/newsletters) - [Topics you follow](https://www.cnn.com/follow?iid=fw_var-nav) - [Sign out](https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting) Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account *** [Listen](https://www.cnn.com/audio) [Watch](https://www.cnn.com/watch) *** - [US](https://www.cnn.com/us) - [Crime & Justice](https://www.cnn.com/us/crime-and-justice) - [Immigration](https://www.cnn.com/us/immigration) - [Education](https://www.cnn.com/us/education) - [Transportation](https://www.cnn.com/us/transportation) - [Race & Identity](https://www.cnn.com/us/race-and-identity) - [World](https://www.cnn.com/world) - [Africa](https://www.cnn.com/world/africa) - [Americas](https://www.cnn.com/world/americas) - [Asia](https://www.cnn.com/world/asia) - [Australia](https://www.cnn.com/world/australia) - [China](https://www.cnn.com/world/china) - [Europe](https://www.cnn.com/world/europe) - [India](https://www.cnn.com/world/india) - [Middle East](https://www.cnn.com/world/middle-east) - [United Kingdom](https://www.cnn.com/world/united-kingdom) - [Politics](https://www.cnn.com/politics) - [Elections 2026](https://www.cnn.com/election/2026) - [Trump](https://www.cnn.com/politics/president-donald-trump-47) - [Facts First](https://www.cnn.com/politics/fact-check) - [CNN Polls](https://www.cnn.com/polling) - [Redistricting Tracker](https://www.cnn.com/politics/state-redistricting-maps-vis/index.html) - [Epstein Files](https://www.cnn.com/politics/epstein-files) - [Business](https://www.cnn.com/business) - [Tech](https://www.cnn.com/business/tech) - [Media](https://www.cnn.com/business/media) - [Calculators](https://www.cnn.com/business/financial-calculators) - [Videos](https://www.cnn.com/business/videos) - [Markets](https://www.cnn.com/markets) - [Pre-markets](https://www.cnn.com/markets/premarkets) - [After-Hours](https://www.cnn.com/markets/after-hours) - [Fear & Greed](https://www.cnn.com/markets/fear-and-greed) - [Investing](https://www.cnn.com/business/investing) - [Markets Now](https://www.cnn.com/business/markets-now) - [Nightcap](https://www.cnn.com/business/markets/nightcap) - [Health](https://www.cnn.com/health) - [Life, But Better](https://www.cnn.com/interactive/life-but-better/) - [Fitness](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/fitness) - [Food](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/food) - [Sleep](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/sleep) - [Mindfulness](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/mindfulness) - [Relationships](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/relationships) - [CNN Underscored](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored) - [Electronics](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/electronics) - [Fashion](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/fashion) - [Beauty](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/beauty) - [Health & Fitness](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/health-fitness) - [Home](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/home) - [Reviews](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews) - [Deals](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/deals) - [Money](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/money) - [Gifts](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/gifts) - [Travel](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/travel) - [Outdoors](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/outdoors) - [Pets](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/pets) - [Entertainment](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment) - [Movies](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/movies) - [Television](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/tv-shows) - [Celebrity](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/celebrities) - [Tech](https://www.cnn.com/business/tech) - [Innovate](https://www.cnn.com/business/tech/innovate) - [Style](https://www.cnn.com/style) - [Arts](https://www.cnn.com/style/arts) - [Design](https://www.cnn.com/style/design) - [Fashion](https://www.cnn.com/style/fashion) - [Architecture](https://www.cnn.com/style/architecture) - [Luxury](https://www.cnn.com/style/luxury) - [Beauty](https://www.cnn.com/style/beauty) - [Video](https://www.cnn.com/style/videos) - [Travel](https://www.cnn.com/travel) - [Destinations](https://www.cnn.com/travel/destinations) - [Food & Drink](https://www.cnn.com/travel/food-and-drink) - [Stay](https://www.cnn.com/travel/stay) - [News](https://www.cnn.com/travel/news) - [Videos](https://www.cnn.com/travel/videos) - [Sports](https://www.cnn.com/sports) - [NFL](https://www.cnn.com/sport/nfl) - [NBA](https://www.cnn.com/sport/nba) - [MLB](https://www.cnn.com/sport/mlb) - [WNBA](https://www.cnn.com/sport/wnba) - [Golf](https://www.cnn.com/sport/golf) - [Soccer](https://www.cnn.com/sport/soccer) - [Tennis](https://www.cnn.com/sport/tennis) - [Motorsport](https://www.cnn.com/sport/motorsport) - [College Sports](https://www.cnn.com/sport/college-sports) - [Olympics](https://www.cnn.com/sport/milan-cortina-winter-olympics-2026) - [Bleacher Report](https://bleacherreport.com/) - [Science](https://www.cnn.com/science) - [Space](https://www.cnn.com/science/space) - [Life](https://www.cnn.com/science/life) - [Unearthed](https://www.cnn.com/science/unearthed) - [Climate](https://www.cnn.com/climate) - [Solutions](https://www.cnn.com/climate/solutions) - [Weather](https://www.cnn.com/weather) - [Weather](https://www.cnn.com/weather) - [Video](https://www.cnn.com/weather/video) - [Climate](https://www.cnn.com/climate) - [Ukraine-Russia War](https://www.cnn.com/world/europe/ukraine) - [Israel-Hamas War](https://www.cnn.com/world/middleeast/israel) - [Watch](https://www.cnn.com/watch) - [Featured](https://www.cnn.com/watch) - [Shows & Films](https://www.cnn.com/watch#shows-films) - [Network TV](https://www.cnn.com/videos/live) - [Clips](https://www.cnn.com/videos) - [CNN Headlines](https://www.cnn.com/videos/fast/cnn-headlines) - [Shows A-Z](https://www.cnn.com/tv/all-shows) - [CNN 10](https://www.cnn10.com/) - [CNN TV Schedule](https://www.cnn.com/tv/schedule/cnn) - [Listen](https://www.cnn.com/audio) - [All There Is with Anderson Cooper](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/all-there-is-with-anderson-cooper) - [Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/chasing-life) - [The Assignment with Audie Cornish](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/the-assignment) - [Terms of Service with Clare Duffy](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/terms-of-service-with-clare-duffy) - [CNN 5 Things](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/5-things) - [All CNN Podcasts](https://www.cnn.com/audio) - [Games](https://www.cnn.com/games) - [Daily Crossword](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/cnn-crossword) - [Jumble Crossword](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/jumble-crossword-daily) - [Photo Shuffle](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/photo-shuffle) - [Sudoblock](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/sudoblock) - [Sudoku](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/daily-sudoku) - [5 Things Quiz](https://cnn.it/5thingsquiz) - [About CNN](https://www.cnn.com/about) - [Subscribe](https://www.cnn.com/subscription?source=sub_web_footersubnav-link) - [Photos](https://www.cnn.com/world/photos) - [Investigations](https://www.cnn.com/us/cnn-investigates) - [CNN Profiles](https://www.cnn.com/profiles) - [CNN Leadership](https://www.cnn.com/profiles/cnn-leadership) - [CNN Newsletters](https://www.cnn.com/newsletters) - [Work for CNN](https://careers.wbd.com/cnnjobs) *** [US](https://www.cnn.com/us) [Watch](https://www.cnn.com/watch) [Listen](https://www.cnn.com/audio) *** Subscribe Sign in My Account - [Settings](https://www.cnn.com/account/settings) - [Newsletters](https://www.cnn.com/newsletters) - [Topics you follow](https://www.cnn.com/follow?iid=fw_var-nav) - [Sign out](https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting) Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account Follow CNN *** Download the CNN app Download the CNN app *** [Terms of Use](https://www.cnn.com/terms) [Privacy Policy](https://www.cnn.com/privacy) [Manage Cookies](https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting) [Ad Choices](https://www.cnn.com/ad-choices) [Accessibility & CC](https://www.cnn.com/accessibility) [About](https://www.cnn.com/about) [Subscribe](https://www.cnn.com/subscription?source=sub_web_footerlink-link) [Newsletters](https://www.cnn.com/newsletters) [Transcripts](https://www.cnn.com/transcripts) [Help Center](https://help.cnn.com/) © 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network. ## Download the CNN app Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play. ![Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from Google Play.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/google-play-cnn-app-qr-code.png) ## Download the CNN app Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store. ![Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/app-store-cnn-app-qr-code.png) ![CNN Logo](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn.svg) ## Legal Terms and Privacy By clicking Agree, you have read and agree to the Terms of Use and agree to the collection and use of your information by cookies and similar technologies, as set forth in our Privacy Policy. By clicking "Agree", you have read and agree to the [Terms of Use](https://www.cnn.com/terms) and agree to the collection and use of your information by cookies and similar technologies, as set forth in our [Privacy Policy](https://www.cnn.com/privacy). [Agree](https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting)
Readable Markdown
Orlando, Florida CNN — An American-born man who’d pledged allegiance to ISIS gunned down 49 people early Sunday at a gay nightclub in Orlando, the deadliest mass shooting in the United States and the nation’s worst terror attack since 9/11, authorities said. [Read the latest developments](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/13/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting/index.html) \* The gunman, Omar Mateen, 29, of Fort Pierce, Florida, was interviewed by the FBI in 2013 and 2014 but was not found to be a threat, the FBI said. Ad Feedback Ad Feedback \* Mateen called 911 during the attack to pledge allegiance to ISIS and mentioned the Boston Marathon bombers, according to a U.S. official. \* Orlando police shot and killed Mateen. \* Mateen’s ex-wife said she thinks he was mentally ill. Mateen carried an assault rifle and a pistol into the packed Pulse club about 2 a.m. Sunday and started shooting, killing 49 people and wounding at least 53, officials said. After a standoff of about three hours, while people trapped inside the club desperately called and messaged friends and relatives, police crashed into the building with an armored vehicle and stun grenadesand killed Mateen. “It appears he was organized and well-prepared,” Orlando Police Chief John Mina said early Sunday. Authorities said they haven’t found any accomplices. 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. [Timeline of Orlando nightclub shooting](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-shooting-timeline/index.html) Omar Mir Seddique Mateen was born in 1986 in New York. Most recently he lived in Fort Pierce, about 120 miles southeast of Orlando. Fearing explosives, police evacuated about 200 people from the apartment complex where he lived while they looked through his residence for evidence. Mateen’s parents, who are from Afghanistan, said he’d expressed outrage after seeing two men kiss in Miami, but they didn’t consider him particularly religious and didn’t know of any connection he had to ISIS. He was married in 2009 to a woman originally from Uzbekistan, according to the marriage license, but he filed documents to end the marriage in 2011. Sitora Yusufiy, interviewed by CNN in Boulder, Colorado, said she and Mateen were together about four months, though it took a long time to complete the divorce because they lived in different parts of the country after separating. Mateen was a normal husband at the beginning of their marriage but started abusing her after a few months, she said. She said Mateen was bipolar, although he was not formally diagnosed. She also said Mateen had a history with steroids. He was religious but she said she doesn’t think his religion played in to the attack. Mateen had worked since 2007 [as a security officer at G4S Secure Solutions](http://money.cnn.com/2016/06/12/news/companies/orlando-shooter-employer/index.html?section=money_latest), one of the world’s largest private security companies. A message posted in Arabic on a dark web site associated with the ISIS news agency Amaq said “the armed attack that targeted a gay night club in the city of Orlando in the American state of Florida and that bore more than a 100 killed and wounded was carried out by an Islamic state fighter.” But CNN’s Salma Abdelaziz, who translated the message and closely monitors ISIS messaging, cautioned about taking the message at face value. She said the language is inconsistent with previous ISIS announcements and that the Arabic word for gay was used rather than an epithet normally used by ISIS. Also, there was no claim that the attack was directed, just an after-the-fact claim the gunman was an ISIS fighter, she said. At a Sunday afternoon news briefing, FBI Assistant Special Agent Ronald Hopper said the agency was aware of Mateen. The FBI interviewed him in 2013 and 2014 after he expressed sympathy for a suicide bomber, Hopper said. “Those interviews turned out to be inconclusive, so there was nothing to keep the investigation going,” Hopper said. Mateen was not under investigation at the time of Sunday’s shooting and was not under surveillance, Hopper said. In the past two weeks Mateen legally purchased a Glock pistol and a long gun, ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Trevor Velinor told reporters. It’s not known if those weapons were used in the attack. “He is not a prohibited person. They can legally walk into a gun dealership and acquire and purchase firearms. He did so. And he did so within the last week or so,” Velinor said. Pulse [describes itself](http://www.pulseorlandoclub.com/) as “the hottest gay bar” in the heart of Orlando. Hours before the shooting, the club urged partygoers to attend its “Latin flavor” event Saturday night. The club is a vast, open space that was hosting more than 300 patrons late Saturday and into Sunday morning. People inside the cavernous nightclub described a scene of panic made more confusing by the loud music and darkness. “At first it sounded like it was part of the show because there was an event going on and we were all having a good time,” clubgoer Andy Moss said. “But once people started screaming and shots just keep ringing out, you know that it’s not a show anymore.” Christopher Hansen said he was getting a drink at the bar about 2 a.m. when he “just saw bodies going down.” He heard gunshots, “just one after another after another.” The gunshots went on for so long that the shooting “could have lasted a whole song,” he said. When the shots erupted, Hansen hit the ground, crawling on his elbows and knees, before he spotted a man who had been shot. “I took my bandana off and shoved it in the hole in his back,” Hansen said, adding that he saw another woman who appeared to be shot in the arm. ##### Orlando nightclub shooting 1 of 20 Survivors provided CNN with dramatic accounts of how they avoided death. One person hiding in the bathroom covered herself with bodies to protect herself. Some entertainers hid in a dressing room when the shooting started and escaped the building by crawling out when police removed the air conditioning unit. One of the bartenders said she hid under the glass bar. Police came in and said, “If you are alive, raise your hand.” Then police got her and others out. After the initial shooting, police surrounded the club while Mateen was inside with clubgoers hiding in bathrooms and other parts of the building. People inside the club were communicating on their phones with law enforcement from that time until around 5 a.m., when authorities used an armored vehicle to break down the door of the building. Thirty-nine people and Mateen were pronounced dead at the scene, with two bodies found in the parking lot, Mayor Buddy Dyer said. Eleven people were taken to hospitals and pronounced dead there, he said. The City of Orlando is [posting names of the deceased on a website](http://www.cityoforlando.net/blog/victims/) after next of kin are notified. The youngest person among the first seven named, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, was 20 years old. Forty-three of the wounded people were patients on Sunday afternoon at Orlando Regional Medical Center, a hospital spokesperson said, with 26 operations being performed. [Blood donors rush to help in Orlando](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/health/orlando-blood-donors/index.html) Before Sunday, the deadliest shootings in U.S. history were at Virginia Tech in 2007 and Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, with 32 and 27 killed. Fourteen people were killed December 2 i[n an attack in San Berardino, California.](http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/06/us/san-bernardino-shooting-what-we-know/) National media attention was already focused on Orlando over the weekend because of [Friday night’s fatal shooting of Christina Grimmie](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/11/entertainment/orlando-christina-grimmie-shot/index.html) while she signed autographs after a show. She was an up-and-coming singer who had appeared on NBC’s “The Voice.” Her shooter then killed himself. The Pulse shooting happened only a few miles from the Plaza Live theater, where Grimmie was killed. Dyer, the mayor, called for the city to come together. “We need to support each other. We need to love each other. And we will not be defined by a hateful shooter,” he said. President Obama called for flags to be lowered to half staff and Florida Gov. Rick Scott called for a moment of silence across the nation at 6 p.m. Sunday. States of emergency were declared for the city of Orlando and for Orange County. Also on Sunday, authorities in West Hollywood, California, arrested 20-year-old James Wesley Howell. They said they found an arsenal in his car that included, three assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, ammunition and a five-gallon bucket with chemicals that could be used to create an explosive device, officials said. At 5 a.m. PT, police got a call about a prowler and found Howell, who told authorities he was looking for a friend to attend the LA Pride festival. There was no indication the arrest was related to the Orlando attack. [America’s deadliest mass shootings](http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/16/us/20-deadliest-mass-shootings-in-u-s-history-fast-facts/) Eleven Orlando police officers and three sheriff’s deputies who exchanged gunfire with the suspect will be temporarily relieved of duty pending an investigation. One officer suffered an eye injury when a bullet struck his Kevlar helmet, said Danny Banks, special agent in charge of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Orlando bureau. The helmet saved the officer’s life, Banks said. [Orlando shooting sparks gun control, language debates](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/politics/orlando-shooting-gun-control-islamic-terrorism/index.html) The attacks were denounced on Sunday by numerous groups, including the Vatican, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “This is a hate crime, plain and simple,” CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said. “We condemn it in the strongest possible terms.” Nadine Smith of Equality Florida said groups are planning vigils around the nation. “It has just been a devastating day but people are starting to rally,” she said. Barbara Poma, owner of the Orlando nightclub Pulse, released the following statement on Sunday: “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.” CNN’s terrorism analyst Paul Cruickshank, John Couwels, Joe Sutton, Vivian Kuo, Deborah Bloom, Pamela Brown, Evan Perez, Shimon Prokupecz, and MaryLynn Ryan contributed to this report.
Shard51 (laksa)
Root Hash2312100192101524051
Unparsed URLcom,cnn!www,/2016/06/12/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting s443