Shocking bodycam footage released from night of Pulse shooting -
- 5 years ago
No Pulse club-goers were hit by police bullets as final report clears officers of any wrongdoing more than two and a half years after the massacre
State Attorney Aramis Ayala says no club-goers were hit by officers' bullets and each time police fired their weapons it was reasonable and justified
Letters of clearance have been issued to officers who fired more than 180 shots
Police engaged with gunman Omar Mateen five times over three hours
Gunman Mateen fired at least 186 rounds from his rifle and 22 from his handgun
He was killed during an exchange of gunfire with SWAT team members
The Orlando nightclub shooting in June 2016 killed 49 people and injured 53
The police officers who fired more than 180 shots at the Pulse nightclub shooter have been cleared of any wrongdoing more than two and half years after the massacre.
A final report by the Orange-Osceola State Attorney's Office has found the 14 cops who fired shots at the Florida gay bar in June 2016 did not hit or wound any civilians.
Aramis Ayala said officers' actions were 'reasonable and justifiable' and only gunman Omar Mateen was wounded and killed by the shots.
She said: 'No casualties were the result of friendly fire and my review is now complete.'
The lengthy investigation found that 11 officers from the Orlando Police Department and three from the Orange County Sheriff's Office fired at Mateen over five separate incidents during the more than three hours that he was inside the Orlando club.
One incident is said to have involved officer Adam Gruler who was working security at the club when the shooting began.
Two officers are also said to have fired towards a civilian who didn't respond to commands but he was not killed.
When Mateen emerged from a hall and began firing 13 officers shot 172 rounds and he was hit seven times. None hit civilians.
The last shot was fired at Mateen's body as he had a gun within reach of his hand and appeared to have an explosive device on him.
All 14 now have clearance letters from State Attorney Ayala, 10 News WTSP reports.
She added: 'As our city grieves the senseless tragedy of the Pulse nightclub shooting, I hope sharing the results of this investigation help the survivors and loved ones find some closure.
While there is no way to take away the pain and the devastation that has been imparted upon our community, it is my hope that sharing the results of this investigation will help survivors and the loved ones find closure and answer any questions. They do deserve to have answers.'
The massacre killed 49 people and injured 53 and was the deadliest shooting on US soil in history until Stephen Paddock opened fire in Las Vegas in October 2017.
Gunman Mateen fired at least 186 rounds from his rifle, which then jammed, and 22 from his handgun. Chief Assistant State Attorney Deborah Barra said: 'That is significant because that actually saved lives.'
They looked at more than 350 witness statements, 911 calls and video and reports in com
State Attorney Aramis Ayala says no club-goers were hit by officers' bullets and each time police fired their weapons it was reasonable and justified
Letters of clearance have been issued to officers who fired more than 180 shots
Police engaged with gunman Omar Mateen five times over three hours
Gunman Mateen fired at least 186 rounds from his rifle and 22 from his handgun
He was killed during an exchange of gunfire with SWAT team members
The Orlando nightclub shooting in June 2016 killed 49 people and injured 53
The police officers who fired more than 180 shots at the Pulse nightclub shooter have been cleared of any wrongdoing more than two and half years after the massacre.
A final report by the Orange-Osceola State Attorney's Office has found the 14 cops who fired shots at the Florida gay bar in June 2016 did not hit or wound any civilians.
Aramis Ayala said officers' actions were 'reasonable and justifiable' and only gunman Omar Mateen was wounded and killed by the shots.
She said: 'No casualties were the result of friendly fire and my review is now complete.'
The lengthy investigation found that 11 officers from the Orlando Police Department and three from the Orange County Sheriff's Office fired at Mateen over five separate incidents during the more than three hours that he was inside the Orlando club.
One incident is said to have involved officer Adam Gruler who was working security at the club when the shooting began.
Two officers are also said to have fired towards a civilian who didn't respond to commands but he was not killed.
When Mateen emerged from a hall and began firing 13 officers shot 172 rounds and he was hit seven times. None hit civilians.
The last shot was fired at Mateen's body as he had a gun within reach of his hand and appeared to have an explosive device on him.
All 14 now have clearance letters from State Attorney Ayala, 10 News WTSP reports.
She added: 'As our city grieves the senseless tragedy of the Pulse nightclub shooting, I hope sharing the results of this investigation help the survivors and loved ones find some closure.
While there is no way to take away the pain and the devastation that has been imparted upon our community, it is my hope that sharing the results of this investigation will help survivors and the loved ones find closure and answer any questions. They do deserve to have answers.'
The massacre killed 49 people and injured 53 and was the deadliest shooting on US soil in history until Stephen Paddock opened fire in Las Vegas in October 2017.
Gunman Mateen fired at least 186 rounds from his rifle, which then jammed, and 22 from his handgun. Chief Assistant State Attorney Deborah Barra said: 'That is significant because that actually saved lives.'
They looked at more than 350 witness statements, 911 calls and video and reports in com