Theres a lot of people that are dead. Captioning sponsored by cbs this is the cbs evening news with scott pelley. Reporting tonight from orlando. Deejays. Shane tomlinson brought music to this world with his band frequency. Peter gonzalezcruz loved to dance. He taught folks how to salsa. Edward sotomayor, they called him tophat eddie, worked for a gay travel agency helping people see the world. Juan guerrero and drew lienan were planning to marry. Their families are now planning a funeral. Jason josaphat was just 19, the youngest to die. Computer savvy, loved photography, his uncle said he was very excited about his journey, a journey that has ended all too soon. 49 lives, 49 futures, lost. Of the 53 people who were wounded tonight, 34 are still in hospitals. But we spoke with surgeons today who tell us they are now optimistic that all survive. We also spoke today with the Orlando Police chief jon m ina who filled us in on what we didnt know about the assault on the club called pulse and the police counterattack against the killer, omar mateen. Mateen opened fire inside the club just after 2 00 a. M. [gunfire] a uniformed offduty officer working as a bouncer returned fire and called for backup. Two officers arrived, and all three proved in aggressively. Orlando police are trained to attack active shooters immediately rather than wait for a swat team. Because of that exchange of gunfire, that forced the suspect to stop shooting and retreat backward into the bathroom, where he held some people hostage. Pelley forcing mateen to retreat gave cle chance to escape. Mateen had about four or five hostages in the restroom, but others were hiding in the club, 15 in a different rest room. Officers outside the building removed an air conditioning unit and several trapped victims crawled through the hole. The gunman called 911, pledged allegiance to isis, then spoke in a Foreign Language the police could not identify. Mateen hung up, but now the police had his phone number. Our main focus was on trying to get him to, you know, we want the make this a peaceful resolution, and you could tell he wasnt interested in that. Then we lost contact with him. Pelley how did you proceed from there . We were receiving Text Messages and information from officers and people inside the club that, you know, he had explosives, he was going to start putting on bomb vests on four people, so we believe based of life was imminent. So we had set up for an explosive breech on the other bathroom where the other 15 people were. Pelley but the Police Explosives didnt break through, so they rammed the wall with an armored car. The 15 ran out. The swat team was preparing to enter the same breech to assault the gunman, but before they had a chance, mateen left his hostages and came out of the breech shooting. [gunfire] there are bullet holes all over the wall where the police cut mateen down. It turns out mateen had no explosives. When he opened fire with his militarystyle ar15 assault rifle, there was a man in the club who recognized the sound, Mark Strassmann found a war veteran who saved dozens of lives. He must have literally walked in as i walked to t hallway. Thats when the shots went off. [gunfire] reporter imran yousef, a bouncer at the pulse nightclub, never saw the gunman saturday night. Right after last call he was making his rounds and barely missed coming face the face with omar mateen. Yousef, a 24yearold hindu, served as a u. S. Marine in afghanistan. On saturday night, he found himself in another combat zone. Shots go off. Reporter how many . The initial one was about three or four. That was a shock. Three or four shots go off and you can tell, it was a high caliber. Everyone froze. Im here in the back. I saw people start pouring into the back staff hallway, and they just started to impact everyone. Reporter yousef knew just beyond that pack of panicked people was a door and safety. But someone had to unlatch it. Im justcr door, open the door, and no one is moving because theyre scared. There was only one choice, either we all stay there and we all die, or i could take the chance and get shot and save everyone else, and i jumped over, opened that latch and we got everyone that we could out of there. Reporter how many people went through the door . Probably over 60, 70. As soon as people found out that door was open, they kept just pouring out. Reporter you saved a lot of folks . I wish i could save more, to be honest. There are a lot of people that are dead. Theres a lot of people that are dead. Reporter before that interview yousef told me he really hadnt processed all the lives that were lost, but, scott, once he started talking to us about it, the tears kept coming. Pelley Mark Strassmann with a key interview tonight. A picture is beginning to emerge now of 29yearold omar mateen as a confused, abusive, mentally ill man. Born in new york, the son of afghan immigrants, his knowledge of extremeist islam was addled, in fact, he pledged loyalty to multiple terrorist groups that actually oppose one another. Hess exwife says he suffered from bipolar disorder. His father says he hated gays. Jeff pegues is covering the investigation. Reporter f. B. I. Agents and technicians are examining omar mateens cell phone and computer as they try to track who he was talking to and what he was reading in the weeks and days before the attack. Sources tell cbs news the 29yearold was active on social media and on the internet. The f. B. I. Has found evidence that he may have researched disney world as a possible target before choosing the pulse nightclub. [gunfire] investigators say mateen had been inspired by the radicalization stretches back years to groups like hezbollah, al qaeda and isis. F. B. I. Director james comey said mateen appeared to be selfradicalized. We see no indication that this was a plot directed from outside the United States, and we see no indication that he was part of any kind of network. Reporter mateen had been on the f. B. I. s radar inch may 2013, coworkers come pained that he was boasting of family connections to al qaeda and that he was a member of hezbollah. Comey says he also expressed a desire to take his own life. He said he hoped that Law Enforcement would raid his apartment and assault his wife and child so that he could martyr himself. Reporter the f. B. I. s investigation included wiretaps and informants and agents interviewed mateen twice. They cleared him after determining he was not a threat. He resurfaced again when the f. B. I. Was investigating an american suicide bomber in syria. That man and mateen went to f. B. I. Cleared mateen. The f. B. I. Has cleared terror suspects in the past who have gone on to violence. In 2009, man killed a soldier and injured another at a military recruiting center in little rock, arkansas. The killer, who had been jailed in yemen and said he was affiliated with al qaeda, had been interviewed twice by the f. B. I. And was cleared. In 2009 Army Major Nadal Hasan who had been in contact with an war allalwaki killed 13 Soldier Centers texas. The f. B. I. Had run two investigations of hasan but was accused of failing to connect the dots before that shooting. In the mateen investigation, the f. B. I. Is promising a review to determine if something should have been done differently. Our work is very challenging. We are looking for need unless a nationwide haystack, but were also called on to figure out day become needles. Reporter federal Law Enforcement sources say they have few opportunities to spot and stop lone wolves. Scott, even when they get the intelligence they feel they need to build a case, often the First Amendment limits what they can do. Pelley jeff pegues in the washington newsroom. Jeff, thank you. Well, orlando became part of the president ial campaign today. And heres nancy cordes. The only reason the killer was in america in the first place was because we allowed his family to come here. Reporter speaking in new hampshire, donald trump argued the nations very survival hinges on banning muslim immigrants. If we dont get tough and if we dont get smart and fast, were not going to have our country anymore. There will be nothing, absolutely nothing left. Reporter his proposal has been denounced by republican leaders, but that did not stop trump, who argued radical islam is incompatible with they enslave women and they murder gays. I dont want them in our country. Our open, Diverse Society is an asset in the struggle against terrorism, not a liability. Reporter in cleveland, Hillary Clinton said scapegoating one religion makes america less safe. Its no coincidence that hate crimes against american muslims and mosques have tripled after paris and san bernardino. Thats wrong and its also dangerous. It plays right into the terrorists hands. Reporter clinton has long argued that using the term radical islam also plays into terrorists hands, but in interviews today under pressure from trump, she changed course. Whether you call it radical jihadism, radical islamism, i think they mean the same thing. Im happy to say either. Reporter trump said reed doing or is intentionally going easy on terrorists. He wouldnt say, scott, why he believes the president would do that, but this is the man who for years accused the president of being a secret muslim who wasnt born in this country. Pelley nancy cordes, thank you. Many families did not learn the fate of their loved ones here in orlando until today. Jamie yuccas spoke to the brother of 21yearold cory connell. Connells girlfriend took him to the nightclub the teach him latin dancing. He was killed. His girlfriend was wounded. I knew in my heart of hearts that if something happened to him it was because he was protecting his girlfriend. Reporter does she know cory died . She does not know yet. My sister is going to break the news to her later tonight. Reporter how is the rest of your family reacting . Mom and dad are devastated. My grandparents are devastated. Cory was the guy of the family. He was always the giver. Cory. He would deliver. Thats what he did. Pelley cory connell, one of the 49 killed. The death toll would have been much higher if not for this, the busiest fully equipped Trauma Center in all of florida is two blocks from here, just three months ago, Orlando Regional Medical Center practiced an active shooter mass casualty drill. Well, today we spoke to six surgeons who saved lives. Michael cheatham, chadwick smith, william haviland, mark levy, Joseph Ina Ibrahim and matt luby. They saw 44 gunshot patients at once. They brought first patient in and then they brought another patients in and then they brought another patient in. And they said there were possibly 20 more gunshot wound patients coming in. And at that point i called my backup, it was very chaotic. There pain. There were patients that were crying. There were staffer staff that was very busy, but very task oryentded. We had gunshot wounds to the chest gunshot wounds to the abdomen, to the extremities, most very severe because of the highvelocity projectiles . Pelley what do you mean by that . This was an assault rifle, so this is a military weapon. The bulletses have a lot more energy to them, a lot more speed, so they cause more tissue injury. There is an individual who required multiple operations in the same 24hour time period because of active, ongoing bleeding. He actually got operated on twice in the operating room and once in the i. C. U. Pelley but you saved him . We did, yeah. Pelley are these gunshot wounds different than the kind of saturday night gunshot wounds you typically see . Well, certainly theyre different from what we used to call civilian gunshot wounds, bullets, smaller bullets, but increasingly were seeing gunshot wounds from highvelocity, militarytype weapons almost on a daily basis. 10 the injuries, this type of injury is something we see every day, its just not 44 patients. Pelley were the patients saying anything . Some of them were crying. Some of them were confused. And then the more critical patients obviously werent saying anything. Many people were asking where their friends and where their loved ones were. Pelley of the surgeries you performed, does any patient stick in you mind . I think they all stick in your mind. After something this horrific, going from operating room the operating room, from patient to patient, i dont think any of us will ever forget this. This is not something that goes away. We had hundreds of family members in the lobby of the hospital all clamoring to know how their loved one was. And i think the thing that struck many of us is just the devastation to these families and not knowing for hours and hours because so many of the victims were still inside the club. I was trying to put myself in their position, just not knowing if their loved one was in the hospital or if their loved one was still at the nightclub, and, you know, i just want to say that im proud that we were there to be there for them, and its. Its very humbling. Pelley the active Shooter Drill that the hospital staged in march was at the suggestion of the American College of surgeons. It turns out that since the sandy hook killings, the American College has been urging hospitals across the country to do the same. Coming up next on the cbs evening news, from orlando, the gunmens father condemns the was an isis supporter . And stay awake during the day. Learn about non24 by calling 8448442424. Or visit my24info. Com. Fact. Theres an advil specially made for fast relief that goes to work in minutes. The only advil with a rapid release formula for rapid relief of tough pain. Look for advil filmcoated in the white box relief doesnt get any faster than this. Advil. Pelley today David Begnaud talked to the father of the orlando gunman at his home south of here in port st. Lucie. David . Reporter scott, the father invited us into his home, but it was clear quite quickly that he wanted to use the interview as a pulpit. I dont approve of what he did. What he did was inside the United States. Reporter the president of the United States has called your sons actions terrorist. Thats what i said. Reporter do you agree . Thats what i said, what he did was an act of terrorism. Reporter do you believe your son was a terrorism . No, what he did was. Reporter siddique mateens own politics are sometimes bizarre inch a frequent online video blog, he claimed to be a Transitional Government leader of afghanistan and rant we asked about his sons isis declaration. He pledged allegiance to isis. Was your son a follower of isis . I wasnt aware of what he did. I wish he was alive. I would ask him, why did he do that . Thats not the way i allow my son to behave. Reporter would you say your son hated america . No. He was born an american citizen. He was born in new york. Reporter in a facebook posting after his sons attack on the pulse, the father says, god will punish those who are involved in homosexuality, but to us he denied ever expressing such a thought. Do you agree homosexuals should be killed . Sir. Reporter im asking because in your video talked about that. I didnt talk about none of that. Reporter do you believe homosexuals. What he did. He did something on his own. I never approved such action to anybody. Reporter the father was born in afghanistan. His son, the shooter, was born here in the United States. Scott, there is a report tonight that the back door to the shooters apartment has been pride open and someone entered. Police have come to the scene and taken fingerprints, and were told a burglary report will be filed. Pelley David Begnaudlf reporting. David, thank you. Well be back from orlando in a moment. My doctor said joint pain from ra. Can be a sign of existing joint damage. That could only get worse. He prescribed enbrel to help relieve pain and help stop further damage. Enbrel may lower your ability to fight infections. Serious, sometimes fatal, events including infections, tuberculosis, lymphoma, other cancers, nervous system and blood disorders, and allergic reactions have occurred. 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Pelley president Obamas National Security team briefed him today and then he spoke to reporters. Here is margaret brennan. Reporter president obama blamed a toxic mix of extremism and easy gun access. Out of 300 million people, there are going to be some individuals who find for whatever reason that kind of horrible propaganda enticing. And if that happens and that person can get a weapon, thats a problem. Reporter now with just 220 days left in he is intensely frustrated that hes unable to stop either, despite more than 14 public appeals to congress. They need all of us right now. Reporter his emotional plea for stronger gun control in the wake of newtown failed to persuade republicans. On wednesday 14 americans were kill. Reporter so too did his Oval Office Address after san bernardino. Mr. Obama has consistently blamed the n. R. A. For Holding Congress hostage. Today the president said the nation needs some soulsearching. We are also going to have to make sure that we think about the risks we are willing to take by being so lax in how we make very powerful firearms available to people in this country. Reporter scott, white house aides acknowledge that after nearly two dozen executive actions and a failed ban on gun sales to those on the terror watch list exhausted nearly all options. Pelley margaret brennan, thank you. Well have a final thought in a moment. Boost complete nutritional drink has 26 essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium and vitamin d to support strong bones and 10 grams of protein to help maintain muscle. All with a great taste. I dont plan on slowing down any time soon. Stay strong. Stay active with boost®. I am proud of you, my man. Making simple, smart cash back choices. With quicksilver from capital one. Youre earning unlimited 1. 5 cash back on every purchase, everywhere. Like on that new laptop. Quicksilver keeps things simple, gary. And smart, like you and i like that. I guess i am pretty smart. Gary. Whats in your wallet . Pelley there are many expressions of sympathy. In sao paulo, brazil, 100 gay activist gathered on a chilly night to mourn the souls lost here. The Sydney Harbour bridge in australia was bathed in the rainbow colors of the l. G. B. T. Movement. In london, a moment of silence was followed by the release of 49 balloons, one for each victim. And tonight paris, still recovering from the november attacks there, stood in solidarity with orlando. Thats the cbs evening news for tonight. Fo orlando strong. Two words on social media and echoing in the city of the center of the nations deadliest mass shooting. Good evening and thanks for joining us im Bruce Johnson and joined by adam longo in orlando where some of the victims still being treated. Good evening. What is the latest. Reporter good evening to you. A steady stream of family, friends and wellwishers coming out here to the site in front of orlando health, the main hospital off of orange avenue in orlando, leaving flowers and lighting candles, they have a prayer chain. People writing prayers on pieces of colored paper and linking them together to leave the prayers and messages of peace and hope. I want to walk you around to