Orlando nightclub shooting

Summary

Forty-nine people killed in attack on gay nightclub - the worst mass shooting in recent US history
Suspect took hostages and died in gunfight with Swat officers
He is named as 29-year-old Omar Mateen, US national
Mateen investigated twice by FBI since 2013, but was not on active terrorism watch list
US President Obama says no evidence he was part of a larger plot

Live Reporting

Taylor Brown and Tom Geoghegan

Death toll 'likely to rise'published at 17:55
Stewart Moore, anchor/reporter for WESH Orlando, is quoting a law enforcement source as saying officials are likely to further raise the death toll at the next briefing that is expected at 18:00 GMT.
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Where to go to donate bloodpublished at 17:51
Authorities are urging locals to head to a local blood bank to donate.
The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has also called on the Muslim community to take part in a blood donation drive for those injured in the attack.
"We condemn this monstrous attack and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed or injured," Rasha Mubarak, CAIR's Orlando regional coordinator said in a statement.
Here is a preliminary list of places for blood donors:
- Orlando West Michigan Donor Center, 345 W Michigan Street, Ste. 106, Orlando, FL 32806
- Orlando Main Donor Center, 8669 Commodity Circle, Orlando, FL 32819 Oviedo Donor Center, 1954 W. State Road 426, Oviedo, FL 32765
- Asbury United Methodist Church - Bloodmobile 220, West Horatio Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751
- St. Luke’s United Methodist Church – Bloodmobile, 4851 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32819
- Metro Church – Bloodmobile, 1491 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, FL 32708
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Suspect's picture publishedpublished at 17:48
Breaking
A picture of the suspected attacker - who was earlier identified as Omar Mateen - has now been published by CBS news.
Image source, CBS News
Unanswered questions remainpublished at 17:43 British Summer Time 12 June 2016
Governor Scott has also warned that anybody who may be thinking of carrying out similar attacks will be dealt with swiftly.
He also said that there are a lot of "unanswered questions" about the attack.
'Heart-wrenching' - Florida Governor Scottpublished at 17:28 British Summer Time 12 June 2016
Florida Governor Rick Scott, who has gone to Orlando, has declared a state of emergency in Orange County.
He described the attack as an "act of terror".
He said "our hearts and prayers" went out to all those affected, and waiting for news of loved ones must be "heart-wrenching".
How attack unfolded - known factspublished at 17:19
Image source, EPA
This is a fast-moving story and so the BBC News website has gathered all the information available at this point.
Busy blood bankspublished at 17:15
Local journalist Paul Brinkmann says people are responding to a call for blood - people are being asked to go to blood banks not local hospitals.
He also reports that a planned vigil might be postponed due to the ongoing investigations.
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Obama to deliver statement on shootingpublished at 17:07 British Summer Time 12 June 2016
President Barack Obama is to deliver statement on Orlando mass shooting at 13:30 local time (17:30 GMT), the White House says.
Hospital still on lockdownpublished at 17:05
Image source, AP
Health officials said hospitals started receiving victims immediately after the attack and "just under 50" have now been cared for.
They said nine either "arrived deceased or succumbed to their injuries".
The main hospital - Orlando Regional Medical Center - remains on lockdown.
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Hollande 'condemns with horror'published at 17:00
In a statement, French President Francois Hollande says he "condemns with horror'' the mass killing in Florida and "expresses the full support of France and the French with America's authorities and its people in this difficult time".
'Praying for victims' - Trumppublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 12 June 2016
Meanwhile, presumptive Republican candidate Donald Trump has said he is "praying for all the victims and their families".
'Horrific act' - Clintonpublished at 16:57
Presumptive Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has described the shooting in Orlando as a "horrific act"
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Shooter is an 'animal' - Rubiopublished at 16:54
Florida Senator Marco Rubio told CNN the gunman was an "animal" whose act of violence showed that "this is the new face of the war on terror".
He also paid tribute to the police officers who "saved lives" by raiding the club to bring the attack to an end.
US Vice-President Biden reacts to shootingpublished at 16:52
US Vice-President Joe Biden, who has been briefed on the attack, "offered his prayers for all those killed and injured in the shooting and sends his condolences to all the families and loved ones of the victims".
The White House statement also said he was closely monitoring the situation.
Shocked Orlando - in picturespublished at 16:47
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
The Florida government and City of Orlando have both declared a state of emergency.
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Families and friends of those who were at the club are waiting for news about their loved ones.
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Many of the 53 injured are in a critical condition.
Image source, EPA
Image caption,
Orlando residents have been bringing flowers to the city's medical centre, where most of the wounded are being treated.
Saved by his helmetpublished at 16:40 British Summer Time 12 June 2016
One police officer was injured in the face when exchanging gunfire with the shooter.
Police say Kevlar helmet saved the officer's life
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'Saw two men kissing' - father of suspectpublished at 16:34 British Summer Time 12 June 2016
NBC news say they have spoken to the father, external of the suspected gunman by phone.
The man said: "We are saying we are apologising for the whole incident. We weren't aware of any action he is taking. We are in shock like the whole country.
"This had nothing to do with religion."
He added his son "got very angry when he saw two men kissing" months before in Miami
What we know so far - key points from news briefingpublished at 16:20 British Summer Time 12 June 2016
Image source, Reuters
These are the main points from the second press briefing by officials in Orlando:
- 50 people killed, up from 20, making the Pulse nightclub attack the worst mass shooting in recent US history
- New death toll came after investigators were able to gain better access to the building - they had to ensure it was clear of devices
- 53 people were injured, many critically
- Suspect identified as Omar Mateen, a US national, of Port St Lucie, Florida
- Investigators are going through his personal papers, social media profile
- The suspect's van has been secured outside the club
- An assault rifle - AR-15 - was used on all the victims
'We're dealing with something that is unimaginable' - Orlando mayorpublished at 16:09 British Summer Time 12 June 2016
This is how Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer confirmed that the death toll was raised to 50.
He also said: "Because of the scale of the crime I've asked the governor to declare a state of emergency.
"We're also issuing a state of emergency for the city of Orlando so that we can bring additional resources to bear to deal with the aftermath."
Media caption,
Mayor Buddy Dyer: "We're dealing with something that is unimaginable"
Crisis hotlinepublished at 16:04 British Summer Time 12 June 2016
Orlando's police have now set up the city's crisis hotline for families and friends looking for their loved ones
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