Latest act of Mass Violence on american soil. Tonight a country in mourning and searching for answers. Nightly news begins now. Terror in orlando. This is nbc nightly news with lester holt, reporting tonight from orlando. Good evening. Our collective sense of security was shattered again today by terror. This time inside an orlando nightclub. 50 people are dead, so many that authorities are resorting to posting their names on a website, a site still overwhelmed tonight as people try to account for friends and loved ones. The shooting massacre inside the Pulse Night Club popular in the gay community, ranks as the single deadliest shooting attack in american history. More than 50 others were wounded. Nbc news has learned that the killer omar mateen had previously been investigated by the fbi and pledged his allegiance to the leader of the isis before launching his attack. Some victims were cut down as they stood or others hid or escaped to the courtyard and still others are waiting with
As mayor dyer said, at this point the nightclub pulse has been cleared and deemed safe of any devices. We are in the process of clearing the suspects vehicle which is a van right outside. And just we ask that people be patient, unfortunately there are many victims inside the club. But like was said, you know, our priority will be on the identification of the victims, notification of the next of kin. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of the outpouring of law en Law Enforcement support from as far away as boston and chicago that let us use their resources if needed. And of course Great Community support from the Central Florida Law Enforcement community as well. I also want to commend the heroic and courageous actions of the initial Law Enforcement officers, and also the heroic actions of our s. W. A. T. Team who rescued 30 possible victims, and brought them to safety. Again at this point just patient because unfortunately this tragedy and the amount of bodies that are in
And i call on everybody in the community, anybody who has any information to please california the fbi, share what you know. It may help answer many Unanswered Questions yet. I also call on my fellow faisst leaders, jewish, christian, muslim, hindu, whatever faith you follow, please pray for the victims and their families in in this hour on this sunday morning. Its supposed to be a beautiful morning, but this is already a very heartbreaking morning, and i want to praise the courageous efforts of our opd who risk their lives, put their lives on the line. One. Officers, as we heard, was injured, and thats a risk they take every day to protect us. No one could have predicted this. No one could have prepared for it. This could have happened anywhere. Its like a lightning. So they have done a marvelous job to save as many lives after the shooter began shooting, and we are glad that the situation is completely under control. There are no other shooters that this person is not known to be con
Speaking about the man she divorced. This was a sick person that was really confused. And went crazy. Now his father revealing new details overnight. I couldnt believe that was my son. As a nation and a city search for answers. Why was the Gay Community targeted in the vicious massacre. This was an act of terror and an act of to hate. Were live with this special edition of Good Morning America. And good morning, america. Were live in orlando this morning. After a crushing weekend. The world remembering the lives lost in that tragic shooting, the deadliest in u. S. History. Were right across the street from that site of that massacre. Officers exchanging gun fire with the shooter. Making a daring rescuer. Theres right now to save those lives. The shooters name omar mateen. 29 years old. Born in new york. He pledged allegiance to isis on a 911 call during the shooting. Officials are now just finishing a sweep of his home. They had been there since the shooting began. How did this man on
Speaking about the man she divorced. This was a sick person that was really confused. And went crazy. Now his father revealing new details overnight. I couldnt believe that was my son. As a nation and a city search for answers. Why was the Gay Community targeted in the vicious massacre. This was an act of terror and an act of to hate. Were live with this special edition of Good Morning America. And good morning, america. Were live in orlando this morning. After a crushing weekend. The world remembering the lives lost in that tragic shooting, the deadliest in u. S. History. Were right across the street from that site of that massacre. Officers exchanging gun fire with the shooter. Making a daring rescuer. Theres heroic work going on right now to save those lives. The shooters name omar mateen. 29 years old. Born in new york. He pledged allegiance to isis on a 911 call during the shooting. Officials are now just finishing a sweep of his home. They had been there since the shooting began.