"ISIL claims responsibility" for Orlando gay nightclub shooting that left 50 dead

[webfact]

"ISIL claims responsibility" for Orlando gay nightclub shooting that left 50 dead



ORLANDO: -- ISIL’s news agency, Amaq, claims a ‘fighter’ from the Islamist militant group was responsible for the mass shooting that killed 50 people and wounded 53 more at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

“The armed attack that targeted a gay nightclub in the city of Orlando in the American state of Florida which left over 100 people dead or injured was carried out by an Islamic State fighter,” Amaq said.

The FBI had already announced that it was probing possible links to radical Islamist terrorism after the worst mass shooting in modern US history.

US officials cautioned, however, that they had no immediate evidence of any direct connection with ISIL or any other foreign extremist group, nor had they uncovered any contacts between the gunman and any such group.

The shooter at the Pulse nightclub has been named as Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old Florida resident and US citizen.

A top US congressman said Mateen may have pledged allegiance to ISIL.

Earlier Rep. Peter King of the Homeland Security Committee says the suspect was Afghan and had weapons training.

The shooting started at 2 o’clock on Sunday morning local time. Three hours later, hostages were still being held.

“The decision was made to rescue hostages that were in there,” Orlando Police Chief John Mina told reporters.

“Our SWAT officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The suspect is dead. He appeared to be carrying a rifle, an assault gun rifle and a handgun and had some type of device on him.”

The gunman entered the nightclub after exchanging fire with a police officer working as a security guard there.

Pulse was crowded with some 350 revellers at a Latin music night when the attack happened.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-06-13

[webfact]

Obama condemns an ‘act of terror’ and an ‘attack on all of us’



WASHINGTON: -- President Obama has ordered the flag at the White House to be flown at half mast to honour the victims of the worst mass shooting in US history, describing it as an “act of terror” and an “act of hate”.

He said Sunday’s massacre of 50 people at a packed gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida was an attack on all Americans.

“This is an especially heartbreaking day for all our friends – our fellow Americans – who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender,” Obama told reporters.

“The shooter targeted a nightclub where people came together to be with friends, to dance and to sing, and to live. The place where they were attacked is more than a nightclub – it is a place of solidarity and empowerment where people have come together to raise awareness, to speak their minds, and to advocate for their civil rights.

“So this is a sobering reminder that attacks on any American – regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation – is an attack on all of us and on the fundamental values of equality and dignity that define us as a country. And no act of hate or terror will ever change who we are or the values that make us Americans.


The president also termed the shooting a new reminder of “how easy it is for someone to get their hands on a weapon that lets them shoot people in a school or in a house of worship or a movie theatre or in a nightclub,” a reference to other mass killings that have punctuated recent US history.

“We have to decide if that’s the kind of country we want to be,” he said.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-06-13

[ukrules]

No surprise here.

The FBI were obviously far too busy conducting their sting operations where they set up (read entrapment) the stupid and feckless to catch someone who's going to go out and do it on his own.

[Nasrullah]

If true.......Payback's a bitch Obama!......But this is what you want!!.....Perpetual war serves you (the corporate schill) and your corporate buddies ....

Added bonus........you get to crack-down on the people at home ..........

All these wars in the middle east are at the heart of this hatred towards america and it's 'allies'

Edited June 12, 2016 by Nasrullah

[OMGImInPattaya]

It would be nice if the POTUS didn't politicize this act of Islamic terrorism and coopt it into his support for LGBT rights and anti-Second Amendment agenda. He should instead direct his rhetorical skills at calling Islam out for what it is...namely a religion of intollerance and hate and the enemy of free people the world over.

[OMGImInPattaya]

ORLANDO, Fla. A gunman who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State opened fire in a crowded gay nightclub here early Sunday in a shooting that left 50 dead and another 53 wounded. The gunman, identified as Omar Mateen, had been investigated twice by the F.B.I. for possible connections to terrorism, the bureau said, but no ties could be confirmed.

New York Times

[OMGImInPattaya]

Meet the face of your narcissistic Islamic terrorist next door...

Source: New York Times

[Rayk]

This act by a muslin group may very well have secured Donald Trump the Presidency.

[metisdead]

A post commenting on moderation has been removed as well as the replies.

[OMGImInPattaya]

Why is Obama trying to make this an LGBT rights issue...it's an Islamic terrorism and Muslims are incompatible with secular Western nations issue!

Edited June 13, 2016 by OMGImInPattaya

[spidermike007]

I am suspicious. My guess is that any major act of terror that happens in the US, is something ISIL (interdependent sacrilegious idiot lemmings) would take credit for. Also, Obama and Homeland Security would prefer that this be an act of terror, instead of the work of a madman, or a religious (non-Muslim) zealot, trying to express his intolerance of the gay lifestyle, and the open manner in which it is conducted in the US.

I am not saying it was not the super freak, gang rapist terror group ISIL. But, anytime they take credit, I am suspicious.

Let us hope it was not their act. If so, life in America is going to change overnight. Being the first major terror act since 9/11, to have been conducted by outsiders, and Muslims, it is going to awaken the giant security apparatus, already in place. Things are going to get ugly in the US.

If the FBI, and other law enforcement had not been spending all of their time, and squandering so much of their resources pursuing men having sex with women, and drug possession cases, it is possible these clowns would have been on their radar.

[AlphMichaels]

I think the decision by TVF to state Amaq has claimed responsibility for the attack should have been tempered with some reality. They (Amaq) are known for doing this without merit or legitimacy. But it doesn't matter..., 50+ people are dead and this guy was a loon.

[webfact]

Orlando gay nightclub shooting 'an act of terror and hate'

WASHINGTON: -- US President Barack Obama has described Sunday morning's gun attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, as "an act of terror and an act of hate".

Americans were united in "grief, outrage and resolve to defend our people", he said.

Omar Mateen, 29, killed 50 people and wounded 53 at the Pulse club before being shot dead by police.

The so-called Islamic State group has said it was behind the attack, but the extent of its involvement is not clear.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36513658


-- BBC 2016-06-13

[koolkarl]

Never hear a word from "innocent" muslims to condone this tragedy or do anything to stop the terrorism.

Apparently Iran is biggest supporter of muslim terrorists. Put a Tesla in every driveway and good riddance to Iran and rest

of Arab countries.

It is high time the west takes the gloves off and cut the snake's head off for good.

[up2u2]

ISIS casts its 'vote' in Orlando Florida for the upcoming US Presidential election.

Vote Trump 'Make America Great Again'

[kingalfred]

Amazing the lack of intellect by some . A member of the public .A US citizen had access to An automatic weapon used in war. Head in the "18th century constitution" sand. Failed state

[webfact]

Police investigate possible ISIL links with Orlando massacre



ORLANDO: -- The US is reeling from its worst ever mass shooting after a man armed with an assault rifle killed 50 people at a packed gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Fifty three others were wounded in the massacre. The gunman was eventually shot dead by SWAT officers.

He has been identified as 29-year-old Omar Mateen, a US citizen who was born in New York of parents who were immigrants from Afghanistan.

Police are keeping an open mind on possible links with the militant ISIL group.

“It has been reported that Omar Mateen has made 911 calls this morning, in which he stated his allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State. We’re looking into any and all connections both domestic and international,“said FBI agent Ron Hooper.

However it’s been revealed that Mateen was investigated twice by FBI since 2013 over indications that he supported militant groups but was not on an active terrorism watch list.

ISIL’s Amaq news agency said on Sunday that the Islamist militant group was responsible for the shooting.

However Florida Senator Bill Nelson has said the claim had not been confirmed.

Part of the investigation has focused on a house in Fort Pierce near Orlando which appears to be linked to the suspect.

Mateen is said to have worked for G4S, the world’s largest security firm, since 2007 and carried a gun as part of his duties – according to the company.

Mateen’s father has told the media that the attack “had nothing to do with religion”, saying his son had been angry when he recently saw two men kissing.

In a separate incident in Los Angeles a heavily armed man has been detained near a Los Angeles gay pride festival.

He was arrested after a tip-off, on suspicion of possessing weapons and explosive materials. Police have said so far there is no apparent link to the deadly mass shooting in Florida.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-06-13

[chicowoodduck]

Time to lock 'n load....will only be a matter of time before the next shooting happens.....and not just in the U.S.A. The world is full of kooks....all wanting to be front page news and claim their 15 minutes of fame.

That side arm I carry will come in handy one day.....will shoot first and ask questions at a later date and time. ???

[Muzarella]

ISIS will claim responsibility for any attack to western countries and people, just because they want a violent response back. Violence creates more violence, and more ISIS violent followers.

To forgive and forget is the only response to stop with this madness. Leave the Islamic people and its countries alone!

[kingalfred]

Time to lock 'n load....will only be a matter of time before the next shooting happens.....and not just in the U.S.A. The world is full of kooks....all wanting to be front page news and claim their 15 minutes of fame.

That side arm I carry will come in handy one day.....will shoot first and ask questions at a later date and time.

"shoot first and ask questions? Lock you up I think!

[landslide]

The shooter was born in New York, to Afgan immigrant parents. He was investigated twice by the FBI. The first time was in 2013, when fellow employees were alarmed by statements he made in support of Islamic tettorism. In 2014, he was interviewed regarding contact he had with the first US suicide bomber in Syria, who was also from Fort Pierce, where Moteen (the shooter) lived. In both instances, the FBI took no further action. Moteen was employed since 2007 with a security company, and was trained and proficient with weapons. Moteen was married, but his wife divorced him due to his violent actions towards her. Imediately prior to his assault, he called 911 and gave his name and pledged allegiance to ISIS and its leader. This guy bought both weapons two weeks ago, and his background check showed no negatives. I find that very strange.

[cheapcanuck]

If true.......Payback's a bitch Obama!......But this is what you want!!.....Perpetual war serves you (the corporate schill) and your corporate buddies ....

Added bonus........you get to crack-down on the people at home ..........

All these wars in the middle east are at the heart of this hatred towards america and it's 'allies'

You memory is short...remember who started these wars.

[cdnvic]

Please remember to link to your sources when using quotes.

[FinChin67]

Ayaan Hirsi Ali: “It Is Time to Take On Muslim Homophobia”

Former Muslim and current atheist Ayaan Hirsi Ali noted in a tweet this afternoon that Islamic homophobia is a particularly viral strain of the religion virus. She was responding to last night’s massacre at a gay nightclub in Florida where 50 people died and many more are wounded (at least as of this writing).

No doctrine is more violent to the gay community than Islamic doctrine. It is time to take on Muslim homophobia.

One of the comments: Islam is a beautiful religion, because it's the one I'm always told of being peaceful after a major terror attack.

The Truth About the Gay Nightclub Massacre

When are we going to accept that Islam has a violence problem?

[bassman]

ISIS will claim responsibility for any attack to western countries and people, just because they want a violent response back. Violence creates more violence, and more ISIS violent followers.

To forgive and forget is the only response to stop with this madness. Leave the Islamic people and its countries alone!

"To forgive and forget" is a mad response. Hunt down and exterminate is a far better solution. These Sunni Muslim hate groups hate the entire world, it happens in China, Russia, Europe, SE Asia and across the whole Muslim world. It is not just a western nation problem and no reason to be scared, appeasement is weakness and the bad guys will take full advantage of it.

[Orac]

Never hear a word from "innocent" muslims to condone this tragedy or do anything to stop the terrorism.

Apparently Iran is biggest supporter of muslim terrorists. Put a Tesla in every driveway and good riddance to Iran and rest

of Arab countries.

It is high time the west takes the gloves off and cut the snake's head off for good.

Condemnation is out there - even my local radio station in Thailand (bbc news link up) played a statement from CAIR this morning condemning both this specific incident and ISIL in general.

[webfact]

Islamic State claims responsibility for Orlando nightclub shooting
Source: Xinhua

CAIRO/DAMASCUS, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic State (IS)-linked news agency Amaq said on Sunday that the Islamist militant group was responsible for the shooting that killed at least 50 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

"The attack that targeted a nightclub for homosexuals in Orlando, Florida and left more than 100 dead and wounded was carried out by an Islamic State fighter," said Amaq in a short English statement that went online Sunday evening.

At least 50 people were killed and 53 others wounded, including a police officer, early Sunday in the shooting at the popular gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando, Florida.

Full story: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-06/13/c_135431013.htm

-- Xinhua 2016-06-13

[soalbundy]

Time to lock 'n load....will only be a matter of time before the next shooting happens.....and not just in the U.S.A. The world is full of kooks....all wanting to be front page news and claim their 15 minutes of fame.

That side arm I carry will come in handy one day.....will shoot first and ask questions at a later date and time. ???

You are obviously an intellectual.

[OMGImInPattaya]

Please note the orgy of hate and death was performed during the muslim "holy" month of Ramadan. A offering to Allah?

Edited June 13, 2016 by OMGImInPattaya

[hansnl]

Amazing the lack of intellect by some . A member of the public .A US citizen had access to An automatic weapon used in war. Head in the "18th century constitution" sand. Failed state

Belgium, France, not so long ago.

Remember?

Muslim terror, done with firearms.

Freely available on the black market.

The laws for owning guns are very, very strict in nearly all European countries.

The answer from the politicos in Europe, and the US?

Even stricter gun laws.

Can we count on governments to defend us against the Islamic filth?

No way.

May we defend ourselves?

No way!