COLUMBUS – A deadly shooting rampage in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., has Ohio officials concerned about security during upcoming LGBT pride events.
Cleveland.com reports police in the city plan to add extra patrols around gay bars.
Take time to mourn those lost in #Orlando & pray for their families.Terror & violence have no place in our world. We must fight it together.
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) June 12, 2016
A group that educates and advocates on behalf of the LGBTQ community in Ohio is asking that people wear white ribbons in solidarity with those affected by the shooting.
Equality Ohio says that the largest deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history happened at a gay bar “is a sign that we have a long, long way to go.”
“As a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community, I know – we know – that it is important to remember that we are all citizens of the United States,” said state Rep. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) in a statement released Monday. “Though we do not today enjoy full equality and rights under the law, I believe we must not let fear send us into the shadows. We must not let fear silence us.”
The father of gunman Omar Mateen says his son recently got angry when he saw two men kissing in Miami and he says that may have been related to the assault.
Authorities are probing Mateen’s background in their search for a motive behind the shooting.
Islamic State radio is calling Mateen ‘one of the soldiers of the caliphate in America.’
Police say Mateen pledged allegiance to the terrorist group in a 911 call during the incident, which left 50 people dead.
Governor John Kasich ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings and grounds throughout the state to honor the victims of the shooting at a gay nightclub in Florida.
Kasich sent out a tweet Sunday saying, “Terror & violence have no place in our world. We must fight it together.”