Florida Governor Rick Scott expressed thoughts and prayers, assuring “we will devote ever resource available” to help in the aftermath of an early Sunday morning attack on an Orlando, Florida gay nightclub that left at least 50 dead and 53 injured and may be an act of Islamic terrorism.
Scott released the following statement on Sunday morning:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families and all those affected by this horrific tragedy. We are a strong and resilient state and we will devote every resource available to assist with the shooting in Orlando. Our state emergency operations center is also monitoring this tragic incident. I have been in constant communication with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and state and local law enforcement this morning. I would like to also thank all the first responders who quickly came to assist and help those in need.”
The FBI said that it believes the attacker could have “leanings to radical Islamic terrorism.” The attack has now been deemed the deadliest mass shooting in United States history. It has also been determined the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil since September 11, 2001.
Authorities have identified the attacker as Omar Saddiqui Mateen. He has been described as a U.S. citizen born in the United States to Afghan parents. Fox News reported that Mateen’s wife was from Uzbekistan.
Florida Senator Bill Nelson said that Intelligence Committee staff say that intelligence officials believes there is some connection to the fundamentalist Islamic terror group ISIS.
Republican Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama said on Fox News following the attack that more attacks are expected, “It’s a real part of the threat that we face and if we can’t address it openly and directly, and say directly that there is an extremist element within Islam, that’s dangerous to the world and has to be confronted.”
Governor Scott’s office stated, “Governor Scott is traveling to Orlando now to meet with law enforcement and local officials. An updated schedule will be released shortly.”
Follow Michelle Moons on Twitter @MichelleDiana