U.S. federal investigators have released a partial transcript Monday of the conversations between Omar Mateen, the gunman who murdered 49 people within the Pulse Nightclub, and Orlando police negotiators.
The redacted transcript revealed more details into the deadly mass shooting that occurred a week ago. The agency said in a statement they will not be releasing audio of the shooter’s 911 calls at this time out of respect for the victims of this horrific tragedy.
Partial transcript of 911 call between Orlando nightclub shooter Omar Mateen, dispatch
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Partial transcript of 911 call between Orlando nightclub shooter Omar Mateen, dispatch
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FBI spokesperson explains why parts of Omar Mateen’s 911 transcripts were redacted
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Below is the partial transcript between the Orlando police department and the gunman which took place in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 12, 2016.
OD: Emergency 911, this is being recorded. OM: In the name of God the Merciful, the beneficial [in Arabic] OD: What? OM: Praise be to God, and prayers as well as peace be upon the prophet of God [in Arabic]. I let you know, I’m in Orlando and I did the shootings.
OD: What’s your name? OM: My name is I pledge of allegiance to [omitted]. OD: Ok, What’s your name? OM: I pledge allegiance to [omitted] may God protect him [in Arabic], on behalf of [omitted]. OD: Alright, where are you at? OM: In Orlando. OD: Where in Orlando?
[End of call.]
During the 50-second call with a dispatcher, Mateen “made murderous statements in a “chilling, calm and deliberate manner,” said Ronald Hopper, FBI assistant special agent in charge in Orlando.
However, there is no evidence Mateen was directed by a foreign terrorist group, and he was radicalized on his own, Hopper said.
Mateen’s name and the groups and people to whom he pledged allegiance were omitted from the excerpt. But the FBI has previously said he pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State.
According to the FBI, Omar Mateen identified himself as an “Islamic soldier” and told the negotiator that America needs to stop bombing Syria and Iraq and that is why he was “out here right now.”
When the crisis negotiator asked the shooter what he had done, the shooter stated, “No, you already know what I did.”
“There is some vehicle outside that has some bombs, just to let you know. You people are gonna get it, and I’m gonna ignite it if they try to do anything stupid,” Mateen said.
Later in the call with the crisis negotiator, the shooter stated that he had a vest, and further described it as the kind they “used in France,” an apparent reference to the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris.
“In the next few days, you’re going to see more of this type of action going on,” Mateen said before hanging up.
The release comes a day after tens of thousands of people held a candlelight vigil in the heart of downtown Orlando for the 49 victims who died in the massacre. The victims also were remembered at church services and at makeshift memorials throughout Orlando.
WATCH: Thousands of people gathered Sunday to remember and honor the victims. Hena Daniels reports.
“As a community, it’s important that we gather together to show our support because only together can we move forward,” said Gabrielle Claire, a musician and Universal Orlando worker who says she knew three Pulse victims who died. She was holding a “Hugs for Healing” sign at the vigil and numerous strangers came up to hug her.
READ MORE: Pride and mourning, as funerals and demonstrations overtake Orlando
“We don’t have to be afraid of holding each other. We don’t have to be afraid of saying to other people, ‘I’m here for you,”‘ she said.
Lynch said in interviews Sunday on several news shows that the FBI would release a partial, printed transcript of the conversations between gunman Omar Mateen from within the Pulse nightclub and Orlando police negotiators. Armed with a semi-automatic weapon, Mateen went on a bloody rampage at the club June 12 that left 49 people dead and 53 others seriously hurt. Mateen died in a hail of gunfire after police stormed the venue.
Lynch told ABC’s “This Week” that the top goal while intensifying pressure on the Islamic State – the extremist group thought to have inspired Mateen – is to build a complete profile of him in order to help prevent another massacre like Orlando.
WATCH: Orlando nightclub shooter signed over property prior to rampage; funerals for victims continue. Aarti Pole reports.
“As you can see from this investigation, we are going back and learning everything we can about this killer, about his contacts, people who may have known him or seen him. And we’re trying to build that profile so that we can move forward,” Lynch said.
Lynch said she would be travelling to Orlando on Tuesday to meet with investigators.
Speaking to CBS’ “Face The Nation,” Lynch said that a key goal of the investigation was to determine why Mateen targeted the gay community. The victims were predominantly gay and Hispanic since it was “Latin night” at Pulse.
“We are hurting. We are exhausted, confused, and there is so much grief,” said Larry Watchorn, a ministerial intern, during a sermon Sunday at Joy Metropolitan Community Church in Orlando, whose congregants are predominantly gay.
READ MORE: ‘You just smelled death in the air’: Orlando shooting victim played dead to survive
Florida Gov. Rick Scott described the attack as “devastating” while praying at the First Baptist Church of Orlando on Sunday. He said the gunman targeted “two very vulnerable populations.”
“But here is the positive out of it … people have come together,” Scott said. “There are so many people who have done so many wonderful acts.”
Around Orlando, people left balloons, flowers, pictures and posters at a makeshift memorial in front of the city’s new performing arts centre and at Orlando Regional Medical Center where 49 white crosses were emblazoned with red hearts and the names of the victims.
The crosses were built by a Chicago carpenter with a history of constructing crosses for victims of mass shootings. Greg Zanis drove from Illinois to Orlando last week and installed the crosses at the medical centre, where many of the 53 shooting victims who survived were taken for treatment.
WATCH: Thousands gather in Orlando for candlelight vigil to honour Pulse nightclub victims
He said Sunday that the crosses are a message for people of all faiths: “Quit judging and start loving.”
A rainbow appeared over Lake Eola Park Sunday evening as tens of thousands of people turned out for an evening vigil to honour the victims of the shooting. The park was filled with people holding white flowers, American flags and candles.
READ MORE: Orlando shooter Omar Mateen’s school records show disruptive, violent pattern
One of those people attending, Traci Hines-McKenzie, said the timing of the rainbow was perfect.
“You know that’s a sign,” she said.
Dr. Khurshid Ahmed was part of a group of Muslim-Americans at the vigil who held signs reading, “Muslims Condemn Extremism.” Investigators have said Mateen reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, and a letter from the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Republican Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, said Mateen wrote on Facebook that “real Muslims will never accept the filthy ways of the West.”
At the end of the vigil, people held up their candles as the names of each victim were read, creating a ring of fire around Lake Eola. They chanted “One Orlando,” “Orlando United” and “Somos Orlando,” Spanish for “We are Orlando.”
“That event has gotten the attention of the world,” said Evania Nichols, an Orlando resident. “And, for Orlando – a city that’s always been incredibly inclusive no matter your skin colour, no matter your background – it’s brought about a movement that I think is starting here and I really hope continues.”
Toronto police are asking for the public’s help identifying a man who was fatally struck by a GO Train early Monday morning on the Lakeshore West line.
Police responded to the collision just before 6:30 a.m. Monday on the GO Train tracks near 130 The Queensway.
Police said a man was walking northbound across the tracks, west of South Kingsway, when he was struck by an eastbound GO Train.
READ MORE: Man dies of injuries after being struck by train near Beaverton, Ont.: police
The man suffered life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police describe the man as white, mid-20s, standing around 5’6″ tall, weighing 150 pounds, with short light-brown hair, a light-brown trimmed beard, with no visible marks, tattoos or jewelry. He was wearing a grey T-shirt, dark Bluenotes blue jeans, black Nike high-top leather shoes with black laces, a black belt and black socks.
Officials say trains were put back into service after a near two-hour delay following several cancellations.
“This is our busiest line and the busiest time of the day so approximately 20,000 people are going to be impacted by this,” Metrolinx spokeswoman Anne Marie Aikins said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1900, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at 长沙桑拿按摩论坛长沙夜生活222tips长沙桑拿, or by texting TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).
Lakeshore West #GOtrain Passengers: Train service has resumed. Trains will begin travelling through to Union with some residual delays.
— GO Transit (@GOtransit) June 20, 2016
LSE #GOtrain: Service near EX getting back to normal We don’t think there will be any more delays/cancellations.
— GO Transit (@GOtransit) June 20, 2016
TPS on scene The Queensway/ Humber River. Reports of a person hit by a train. Searching the area for a victim. ^ec
— Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) June 20, 2016
Aldershot 5:31 – Union 6:38 #GOtrain struck a person west of Exhibition. Expect trains to be delayed, cancelled & adjusted.
— GO Transit (@GOtransit) June 20, 2016
Union Station 07:13 – Aldershot GO 08:21 #GOtrain is cancelled as a result of a person being struck by a train west of Exhibition GO stn
— GO Transit (@GOtransit) June 20, 2016
LSW: Report has come in that a person was struck east of Mimico. We expect this will affect service for next 2 hours. Update to follow.
— GO Transit (@GOtransit) June 20, 2016
Union 6:55 – Aldershot 7:58 #GOtrain is cancelled as a person has beenstruck by a train west of Exhibition.
— GO Transit (@GOtransit) June 20, 2016
LSE #GOtrain: Fatality of a person on tracks west of Exhibition. Trains likely affected with delays & possible cancellations til 8:30.
— GO Transit (@GOtransit) June 20, 2016
LSW #GOtrain service suspended. Shuttle bus from Port Credit to Cooksville. TTC protocol in effect. Details: https://t.co/FCxkTdpBUu
The intersection of College Street and Bathurst Street will be closed for the next three weeks as a result of streetcar track reconstruction and won’t reopen until July 13.
The Toronto Transit Commission said the project involves capping old watermains, removing the eastbound streetcar platform, reconstructing the westbound streetcar platform, some road resurfacing and sidewalk improvements.
READ MORE: Toronto sees first new streetcar route in 16 years
Businesses and residences in the area are being advised that the first few days of work will be the most disruptive in terms of noise and dust.
The TTC said crews will also be working into the evening and overnight hours.
“After-hours work by TTC is required to support the daytime construction and complete the project as quickly as possible,” the TTC said in a release.
“There will be some loud noise with trucks backing up and sound associated with moving rail into place.”
READ MORE: TTC demands Bombardier apologize to riders after streetcars delayed yet again
There will be a number of TTC service disruptions during that time. They are as follows:
511 Bathurst streetcar route will be converted to buses. Buses will divert around the intersection closure both ways via Harbord, Spadina and Dundas. 310 Bathurst night buses will follow the same detour.506 Carlton streetcars will be maintained on the eastern portion of the route during weekdays. Streetcars will operate between Main Street Station and the downtown area.506 Carlton streetcars will be converted to buses on the western portion of College Street during weekdays. Buses will operate both ways on College between Keele Station and the downtown area, and will divert around the intersection closure both ways via Spadina, Harbord and Ossington.506 Carlton weekend and 306 overnight services will operate as buses along the entire route from Main Street Station to Keele Station to accommodate City watermain relining work on Gerrard Street East.
LONDON – British lawmakers returned to Parliament Monday to pay tribute to lawmaker Jo Cox, as the man charged with her slaying was set to appear in court for a bail hearing.
Parliament was in recess for campaigning in the European Union referendum when Cox was shot and stabbed to death outside a library in her northern England constituency on Thursday.
The killing – the first of a sitting British legislator in more than a quarter of a century – prompted an outpouring of shock and grief, and brought a three-day halt to campaigning for this week’s referendum.
READ MORE: ‘Death to traitors’: Accused killer of Jo Cox refuses to give name at court
Cox was a Labor legislator who had championed the plight of Syrian refugees and strongly backed a “remain” vote in Thursday’s EU poll.
WATCH: The suspect in Thursday’s shooting and stabbing of British MP Jo Cox identified himself as “Death to traitors, freedom for Britain” during his first court appearance today. Jacques Bourbeau has the latest.
Speaker John Bercow recalled the House of Commons to allow lawmakers to honour their colleague. In a break with tradition, members were allowed sit together, rather than dividing along party lines.
The House is generally recalled only at times of crisis or high significance. The last time it happened was in September 2014, so lawmakers could vote on whether to launch air strikes against the Islamic State group in Iraq.
The man accused of killing Cox, 52-year-old Thomas Mair, is set to appear Monday afternoon at London’s Central Criminal Court for a bail hearing.
Mair gave his name as “death to traitors, freedom for Britain” in his first court appearance Saturday.
TEHRAN, Iran – Iranian intelligence officials have broken up “the biggest terrorist plot” ever planned to target Tehran and other provinces in the Islamic Republic, the country’s state television reported on Monday.
An anchor on state television read off a statement attributing the information to Iran’s Intelligence Ministry. Officials could not be immediately reached for comment to elaborate.
Several suspects have been arrested and are under interrogation over the plot after agents seized ammunition and bombs, the state TV said.
The semi-official Fars and ISNA news agencies quoted Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, as saying the attack was timed to hit during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, citing the Intelligence Ministry, said the attack was supposed to come on the anniversary of the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s wife, Khadija, which was commemorated in small ceremonies across Iran on Thursday.
READ MORE: Iran won’t send pilgrims to hajj over security, safety concerns
The report didn’t identify those arrested, though it called them “takfiris,” a derogatory term in both Arabic and Farsi referring to Muslims who accuse others of being “nonbelievers.”
Iranian authorities often refer to followers of the Sunni militant Islamic State group as “takfiris,” though it isn’t clear if this case involved the extremist group that holds territory in Iraq and Syria.
Shiite power Iran has been helping both the Syrian and the Iraqi government in their battles against the Islamic State group. It has warned of possible militant attacks targeting the country, which largely hasn’t seen such attacks since the immediate aftermath of its 1979 Islamic Revolution.
IRNA, however, called those involved in the plot “Wahhabi takfiris.” Wahhabism is an ultraconservative school of Islam practiced predominantly in Saudi Arabia.
Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have frayed following the kingdom’s execution of a prominent Shiite cleric in January and subsequent attacks by protesters on Saudi diplomatic posts in Iran. The kingdom cut diplomatic relations with Tehran following those attacks.
Iran recently announced it would not be sending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the annual hajj pilgrimage, as it said the kingdom did not meet Iran’s requests for better security for Iranian pilgrims. The hajj pilgrimage is required of all able-bodied Muslims once in their lifetime.
In May, Iran’s Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi announced that 20 “terrorist groups” that planned to detonate bombs and cause insecurity across the country had been dismantled. It’s unclear whether that included the plot announced Monday by state television.
Iran faces threats from several militant groups. Last week, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard battled armed members of an insurgent Kurdish group in the country’s West Azerbaijan province near its border with Iraq and Turkey.
READ MORE: Iranian official hints at new US prisoner exchange
Both sides gave conflicting death tolls from the fighting, as the Guard said its forces killed 12 insurgents while three of its own died. The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan said Kurds killed over 12 Guard members, including a colonel.
—;
Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
