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ORLANDO — Omar Mateen, the killer who claimed allegiance to the Islamic State, hid in a bathroom at Pulse, a gay nightclub where he had slaughtered scores of people. A wall of cinder block separated him from a team of police officers outside. For three hours early Sunday morning, crisis negotiators tried to end the siege.
Then Mateen — whom police said had acted “cool and calm” during discussions — talked about killing more people. Alarmed, police placed an explosive device against the wall and detonated it. The breach failed; the hole wasn’t large enough to allow for a successful rescue.
A cop rammed his Bearcat armored vehicle through the club wall. Hostages poured out. So did Mateen, guns blazing.
With quick efficiency, officers shot him dead.
So ended the worst armed massacre in American history: 49 victims were killed and 53 wounded.
Monday, Orlando Police Chief John Mina and other law enforcement officers offered new details about the shooting, including the possibility that some victims may have been killed by officers trying to save them.
“I will say this, that’s all part of the investigation,” Mina said. “But I will say when our SWAT officers, about eight or nine officers, opened fire, the backdrop was a concrete wall, and they were being fired upon.”
A law enforcement source close to the investigation who asked not to be named said a crowd of up to 300 people and the complex layout of the dance club may have resulted in some patrons being struck by gunfire from officers.
Begs the question if police are capable of dealing with paramilitary situations and really know how to use all the fancy equipment DHS has given them.
originally posted by: NightSkyeB4Dawn
a reply to: imsoconfused
The media reports have so many holes, they are starting to look like Swiss Cheese.
The problem is they are not telling us what happened. They are telling us what they want us to believe.
That is why most don't believe anything they say. Even the truth gets swallowed up and flushed down the crapper.
It just seems like that does not leave enough time for Mateen to kill 50 people and wound 50 more without there being a lot of friendly fire casualties.
originally posted by: Domo1
a reply to: imsoconfused
It just seems like that does not leave enough time for Mateen to kill 50 people and wound 50 more without there being a lot of friendly fire casualties.
I haven't been following closely enough, but Im pretty sure I read somewhere there was a gap of HOURS between when he started shooting and was killed. I really hope I misread that the other day.
originally posted by: Domo1
a reply to: imsoconfused
It just seems like that does not leave enough time for Mateen to kill 50 people and wound 50 more without there being a lot of friendly fire casualties.
I haven't been following closely enough, but Im pretty sure I read somewhere there was a gap of HOURS between when he started shooting and was killed. I really hope I misread that the other day.