Pulse nightclub massacre bodycam video documents officer response

Newly released video from bodycams shows officers responding to a mass shooting at a Florida gay nightclub. Tamala Edwards reports during Action News at 5:30 a.m. on June 1, 2017.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Newly released video from bodycams on officers responding to a mass shooting at a Florida gay nightclub shows shattered glass inside the club, the sounds of automatic gunfire and an officer shouting to the gunman, "Come out with your hands up or you will die!"

The videos were released Wednesday to ABC News, the Orlando Sentinel and the newspaper's news partner, Fox 35.
[Ads /]

In memoriam: Victims of the massacre at Pulse Night Club in Orlando, Fla. on June 12, 2016.

The 11 hours of video show Pulse patrons running from the club and officers shouting, "Just go!" as they direct them across the street.

In another video, an officer off camera inside the club checks for the pulse of a patron only to announce the victim is dead. Later, an officer realizes that the massacre is an act of terrorism.

"It's terrorism in Orlando," the Orlando Police officer said of the gunman. "He pledged something to the Islamic State."

Orange County Sheriff's Department SWAT members arrive to a fatal shooting at Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, June 12, 2016.AP

An Orange County Sheriff's Department SWAT member arrives to the scene of a fatal shooting at Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, June 12, 2016.AP

Police cars surround the Pulse Orlando nightclub, the scene of a fatal shooting, in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, June 12, 2016.AP

Emergency personnel wait with stretchers at the emergency entrance to Orlando Regional Medical Center.AP

Jermaine Towns, left, and Brandon Shuford wait down the street from a multiple shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, June 12, 2016.AP

Orlando Police officers direct family members away from a multiple shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, June 12, 2016.AP

Bystanders wait down the street from a multiple shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, June 12, 2016.AP

Forty-nine patrons were killed during last June's massacre and dozens more were injured in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
[Ads /]
Gunman Omar Mateen was killed in a shootout with officers after a three-hour standoff. He had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group during phone calls with police negotiators.

VIDEO: Hear from Philly survivor or Orlando shooting

Some bodycam footage shows Pulse patrons being checked for weapons by officers after escaping the club with their hands up. Other footage shows an officer leading a patron out of a bathroom and down a hallway.

"Follow the sound of my voice. Come this way," the officer said.
One club patron was found crouched hiding in a shed and was hesitant to come out of it. "We're police, man. Come on. Get out!" an officer said.

Among the victims killed was Philadelphia teenager Akyra Murray, a basketball standout who had just graduated from West Catholic Prep.
[Ads /]

VIDEO: School mourns Akyra Murray

----------
Send a breaking news alert
Report a correction or typo
Learn more about the 6abc apps