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Orlando shooting: Barack Obama meets victims and pleads for unity

  • America is in mourning after the worst mass shooting in its history
  • Omar Mateen's attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando left 49 people dead
  • So-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack
  • President Obama says there is no clear evidence the gunman was directed by IS
  • Witnesses have claimed that Mateen was a regular visitor to the club he attacked
  • His wife said she tried to talk him out of conducting any kind of attack
  • His father has blamed security at the club for the attack
  • One gun shop refused to sell him ammunition as he was acting suspiciously

Follow the latest updates on ITV News.

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Officers given counselling after Orlando killings

Police officers involved in responding the largest ever US mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando have been offered counselling to cope with the horrors of the scene.

Police chief John Mina said up to 400 officers and swat team members had taken part in a stress management briefing and would be offered ongoing therapy.

These are some of the most courageous, heroic and toughest men I know.... but no-one can prepare you for what those officers encountered that night.

They stood toe-to-toe, went face-to-face with the mass murderer and performed heroically and courageously and I'm extremely proud of them.

– John Mina

Meanwhile the US attorney in charge of the investigation has declined to confirm whether Sitora Yusufiy, the ex-wife of gunman Omar Mateen, would face charges after it was claimed she may have had prior knowledge of his plans.

Lee Bentley told reporters: "I'm not going to speculate about any charges that may be brought or indeed about whether any charges will be brought in this case."

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Orlando shooting: Barack Obama meets victims and pleads for unity

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