Police have not identified a possible motive, and details about Mateen's background were scarce on Sunday morning. This relative said Mateen's family was very sorry about what had happened. One relative said that Mateen's family was in shock after being told on Sunday morning about his involvement. The suspected gunman was identified by relatives and law enforcement officials as Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old from Fort Pierce, Florida. Officials said the shooter was shot and killed by police officers in a shootout. Police had initially thought about 20 people were killed in the attack, but authorities said later on Sunday morning that the toll was significantly higher. Mateen was killed in a shootout with SWAT team members shortly before 5:20 a.m.A gunman opened fire inside a crowded gay nightclub in Orlando, killing 50 people and injuring dozens more in a rampage that turned into a deadly hostage situation.Īuthorities said that 50 people were killed in what authorities are calling an act of domestic terrorism, and many others were injured in the violence at Pulse, a popular gay bar and dance club. SWAT team members began to breach a wall to get out hostages trapped in bathrooms a little after 5 a.m., according to the timeline. But authorities determined there weren't explosives much earlier. Orlando Fire Department spokeswoman Ashley Papagni said Mateen's vehicle was officially cleared at 11:02 a.m. The fire departments' presentation indicates that the dogs started their search shortly after 3:40 a.m., and a police log shows that one of the dogs detected the ammunition in the car by 4:06 a.m.Ī dispatcher log entry from the Orange County Sheriff's Office, which assisted the Orlando Police, says, at 4:08 a.m.: "Need to move out perimeter." It's hard to say how much time, if any, was lost moving around first responders during the standoff, which lasted from a about 2-5 a.m. During calls with police negotiators and a 911 operator, Mateen pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.Īfter the dogs had the positive hit, "all groups are systematically relocated to put 2 city blocks between themselves and the scene," according to the timeline that is part of a power point presentation given by the chiefs of the Orlando Fire Department and Orange County Fire Rescue.Īdding to the confusion, some hostages texted that Mateen had bomb vests that he intended to place on patrons, a claim that also ended up being false. In all, 49 patrons were killed and dozens others were injured. A spokeswoman said she couldn't comment on when the investigation would be finished.Ĭlearly, the devastation could have been much worse if the car had explosives and precautions weren't taken. The FBI is still investigating the massacre. history, particularly the role that the bomb dogs played and how first-responders reacted to the dogs' hit. The timeline offers new insight into the police and firefighter response to the worst mass shooting in modern U.S.
As it turns out, it was ammunition and weapons, not explosives in the car, according to dispatcher logs and the timeline. Command centers were also relocated as a precaution.