President Obama: Orlando Shooting Was an Act of Terror and an Act of Hate
In a statement regarding this morning’s mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando that left 50 people dead and 53 more injured, President Obama has announced that “the FBI is appropriately investigating this as an act of terrorism.”
Speaking at the White House, Obama said:
Today as americans we grieve the brutal murder, horrific massacre of dozens of innocent people. We pray for their families who are grasping for answers.
We stand with the people of Orlando who have endured a terrible attack on their city. Although it’s still early in the investigation, we know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate. And as Americans we are united in grief, in outrage, and in resolve to defend our people.
The shooter had previously been identified as Port St. Lucie, Florida resident Omar Mateen, who authorities claim had “ties to Islamic terrorism.”
President Obama has already met with both the FBI and his national and homeland security advisors, during which he “directed that the full resources of the federal government be made available for this investigation.” He continued:
We are still learning all the facts. This is an open investigation. We’ve reached no definitive judgment on the precise motivations of the killer.
The FBI is appropriately investigating this as an act of terrorism, and I’ve directed that we must spare no effort to determine what, if any, inspiration this killer may have had with terrorist groups. What is clear is that he was a person filled with hatred.
Obama appeared largely emotionless during the address, but then again—he’s had far too much practice. This appears to be Obama’s eighteenth address in response to a mass shooting since he took office.