On early Sunday morning at 2AM, 29-year old Omar Mateen shot and killed 50 people (with 53 others injured) with an AR-15 assault rifle at the gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando, Florida. Mateen pledged his allegiance to ISIS in a 911 call, with witnesses also claiming to hear the terrorist shout ‘Allahu Akbar,’ which is frequently used in attacks by radical Islamic terrorists. ISIS released an official statement: ‘May Allah grant the brother a palace in jannah [Heaven].’
Omar Mateen had been interviewed by the FBI twice and had once been on a terrorist watch list. James Zirkle, who went to high school with Mateen, claimed, “He was alright until 9/11 happened, [then] he started acting totally different.” Zirkle also claimed that Mateen stood up in front of classmates one time and claimed Osama bin Laden was his uncle.
Alternative Nation sends its best wishes to the families of the victims and survivors, and to the LGBT community. If you live in the Orlando area, there is an urgent need for blood donations, especially type O. The OneBlood center in Orlando is encouraging blood donations in the coming days, with people in the Jacksonville area also being urged to donate at one of several donation sites in town. Equality Florida have also set up a GoFundMe to help the victims and their families: “Funds raised on this page will be going directly to the victims and families affected by the horrific shooting at Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub. Equality Florida is working with local organizations – who are also helping to raise funds – to ensure the money is distributed properly. Thank you for the support!”
Rockers took to social media to react to the horrific terrorist attack, the worst on the United States since September 11, 2001. Read posts from Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello, Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, and former Hole frontwoman Courtney Love reacting to the horrific attack below.
There aren't words enough to express the sadness I feel for the victims & their families of this tragic & horrific Orlando incident.
— Slash (@Slash) June 12, 2016
I am really saddened and disturbed with the shooting in #Orlando. Thoughts and prayers to the fallen and survivors. #Pride
— Krist Novoselić (@KristNovoselic) June 12, 2016
I support the 2nd Amendment. But am I the only one who does who thinks this is NOT ok? https://t.co/rCLXh6GVe4
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) June 12, 2016
Senators AND assault weapons bought and sold. Terrorists must be psyched on both counts https://t.co/cxIQiMyPQy
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) June 12, 2016