Friday, November 01, 2024

Scary Nights: Mass Shooting In Orlando!

More mass shootings in the United States.

Be warned there will be graphic video and images. Take discretion in viewing.

I normally do a long posting about the failures of Congress, President Joe Biden, former president Donald J. Trump, former president Barack Obama and former president George W. Bush. 

I am just going to flat out say it:

These idiots can't stop gun violence or Israel.

Another mass shooting in the United States and the usual remarks from lawmakers is "thoughts and prayers" or "my heart goes out to."

In the case of how Trump puts it, "we've got to get over it."

I am paraphrasing Trump but that is the shallow theme of his horrible campaign.

Mass shootings so far:
  • New Haven, CT
  • Northglenn, CO
  • Wilmington, DE
  • Dade City, FL
  • Memphis, TN
  • Clarksdale, TN
  • Kalamazoo, MI
  • Redding, CA
  • Corpus Christi (2)
  • Union Springs, AL
  • Durham, NC
  • Fresno, CA
  • McKee's Rocks, PA
  • Waco, TX
  • Montgomery, AL
  • Fall City, WA
  • Jackson, TN
  • Baton Rouge, LA
  • Fort Wayne, IN
  • Albany, GA
  • Lexington, MS
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Detroit, MI
  • Elberton, GA
  • East Cleveland, OH
  • Nashville, TN
  • Oklahoma City, OK (2)
  • Newberry, SC
  • Kansas City, MO

The last mass shooting that became a part of American history was the deadly Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. Then governor Rick Scott promised he will do something. Still waiting on that something.

Now Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Gov. Ron DeSantis, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and the U.S. House members (including Orlando's district member, Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL)) will react to the latest mass shooting in the city. 

Halloween mass shooting.

Two people are dead and seven others were injured after a shooting in downtown Orlando early Friday as thousands celebrated Halloween, police said.

Police arrested a 17-year-old on suspicion of carrying out the shooting. No motive has been established, and the identities of those killed and injured have not been released. Police said the victims ranged in age from 18 to 39, and the two people who were killed were 19 and 25.

Police said six of the injured were shot and a 26-year-old woman had injuries from being trampled as the crowd fled.

As of 4:45 p.m., four remained hospitalized in stable condition and three people were discharged, Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center said.

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said shots were fired just after 1 a.m. at Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue and more shots were fired nearby minutes later.

Police said the suspect, Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, was arrested and taken into custody. He was later charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.

He had previously been arrested on a grand theft charge in 2023, a crime that remains an active investigation.

A night of Halloween fun becomes a deadly moment.

Smith told reporters Friday afternoon that the suspect has not been cooperative with police. Investigators are working to learn how he obtained the gun.

Surveillance video released by Orlando police showed the suspect in a yellow shirt walking in the crowd. He appeared to raise his right hand and open fire. Crowds dispersed in all directions as gunfire rang out, according to the footage. The police video showed an officer knock down the suspect and three others ran to help arrest him.  

Smith said Halloween is one of the city's busiest nights of the year, with crowds between 50,000 to 100,000 people. About 100 police officers were patrolling the area and tackled the shooter soon after the shots were fired, Smith said.

"The officers did a great job. They responded right when they heard the shooting, you know. So everybody else is running. They’re not, they’re sitting in position looking for a shooter. They found a shooter. They took him down," he said.

He said the suspect was determined to carry out the shooting and did not appear put off by the police presence.

"Whatever his mindset was, he was going to shoot no matter what. He walked by multiple officers ... He walked by at least 10 officers, walked directly by them," Smith said.

Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain told reporters it is likely the suspect would be charged as an adult as the investigation progresses.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced a local state of emergency in Orlando’s downtown entertainment area and enacted a 1 a.m. curfew in the wake of the shooting. For the next seven days there will also be no alcohol sales after midnight.

Dyer said the city had safety measures in place in the downtown area including coordinated entry and weapon screening.

He said changes in the state’s concealed weapons laws have “made it even easier for people to carry guns and bring guns downtown.” Last year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation allowing residents to carry a concealed loaded weapon without a permit.

Be warned images are graphic.




“Honestly, I am frustrated to have to stand in front of you all and again, share the news that we have senselessly lost another life due to gun violence,” Dyer said. 

Near the scene of the shooting Friday morning, downtown workers and pedestrians went about their days without much sign of the violence that occurred hours before. About 10 feet of yellow police tape hung between a parking meter and a nearby business.

Rocio Taylor, 70, who lives about three blocks from where the shooting occurred, said she doesn’t go out past 7 p.m. on the weekends because the bar-and-club scene is too rowdy. She also mentioned the area often hosts festivals and draws a young crowd. Taylor, who works at a wedding dress shop, said she would like to see a bigger police presence.

“It’s Halloween,” she said. “They drink too much alcohol. They go to nightclubs. They’re out of control.”

Orlando Police quickly caught the shooter.

The suspect is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The suspect will be charged as an adult and will face a LIFE in the iron college without a graduation if convicted.

So I just want to say that the Second Amendment is White, period.

A bullet does not care about color. We all bleed red and so many lives are lost to gun violence and Republicans offer no solutions other than "thoughts and prayers" with a touch of "lock em up."

Gun violence is the number one threat in the United States.

I dismiss this ridiculous notion that criminals are the problem, not the guns. Firearms are often obtained through legal purchases. 

Again, having more security, teachers being armed and offering safe rooms are not solving the problem. The problem is lawmakers not willing to stop gun violence.

According to the far right: White shooters are mentally ill. Black shooters are unrepentant thugs and criminals. Gay shooters are active groomers. Muslim shooters are terrorists. Hispanic and Asian shooters are illegal immigrants. According to the far right, almost all white [or non-white] mass shooters are registered Democrats [or some progressive activist] because they have liked or done one thing common to the left. Of course, they often share or post disinformation by using the "Sam Hyde" meme or make bogus social media platforms with the shooter's image as a way to denounce most mass shooters being white or associated with conservative causes. The far right says a white person should "protect" themselves from thugs, terrorists or protesters. They believe the use of firearms are "justified" if they are protesting or even instigating a conflict. The far right believes if a shooter is a police officer, an active military member, a veteran or a citizen who supports conservative causes, they are considered a "heroes" and use of firearms are justified. If the shooters are teens in urban communities, the far right automatically assume the gunmen are Black.

The Republicans usually amplify white victims. Anytime a person of color kills a white victim, it is often wall-to-wall coverage on Fox, Twitter and they force it into national news. They make the case to blame Black Lives Matter, Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Democrats, Rev. Al Sharpton and rap music for Black on whatever violence. Republican lawmakers who do not live in urban neighborhoods often troll social media to talk about gun violence or crime in Chicago, Baltimore, Milwaukee and New York City while not doing a damn thing to stop it. If a white person shoots a Black person, the shooter is given the benefit of doubt. White shooters are given glowing profiles about their perfect lives and how friends noticed something but refused to do something. When it comes to Black shooters, automatic vilification. They don't see mental illness. They see it as gang violence, allegedly fatherless homes, Democratic policies or the need for more firearms. 

A 17 year old terrorist. The shooter is in custody.

The far right and Republicans exploit gun violence in the Black community for culture wars and racism.

So in closing, expect more.

The website Officer Down is a memorial to those police officers who were killed in the line of duty. Those victims who don't get their names or accomplishments mentioned in the junk food media. Also the website the National Gun Violence Memorial also keeps record of the many individuals killed by gun violence. We are tracking police violence as well. 

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 988, or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. Learn more on the Lifeline’s website or the Crisis Text Line’s website.

The call number to the White House and U.S. Capitol is now going to be used. This is the official White House numbers 202-456-1111 and 202-456-1414. This is the Congress official phone number, 202-224-3121. Please be respectful to operators, staff members and elected leaders. Your calls are monitored by the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Capitol Police. 

Let them know that "thoughts and prayers," "hearts going to" and "good guys with guns" are no longer acceptable and you want legislation to curb gun violence. Let them know that we are tired of police officers using immunity when committing death of suspects in custody. Let them know that you are tired of private equity firms getting away with destroying small businesses and long established companies. Let them know that you are tired of your taxpayer money going to foreign nations like Israel. You are tired of hearing about "Israel having a right to..." and the bogus claims of being anti-semitic or in support of terrorism. 

We have bigger issues at home and our tax dollars should solve the housing crisis, lowering food prices, fixing roads, bridges, helping reinvest in struggling urban and rural communities. We have hospitals closing, big box retailers leaving communities and television programs dying. There are bigger issues in the country than Israel. You want an immediate ceasefire and accountability for war crimes done by Israel. You want no more foreign influence in American elections. You also want to make sure future presidents and lawmakers avoid influence from lobbyists. 

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