All 49 victims of the shooting early Sunday morning at the Pulse nightclub have been identified, Orlando authorities said. The final name was released to the public Monday night. The victims range in age from 18-50 and come from all walks of life.

The White House has announced President Obama will come to Orlando on Thursday to pay his respects to the families of the victims and stand in solidarity with the community.

Meanwhile, thousands showed up at a vigil Monday night to mourn the victims and vow to never back away from hate. And workers from Pulse also vowed to rebuild and reopen their nightclub.

TOP NEWS:

  • List of identified victims
  • Gov. Rick Scott asked President Obama to declare state of emergency for Florida
  • Omar Mateen exchanged gunfire with police before barricading himself inside bathroom
  • Several hostages were also inside the bathroom with Mateen
  • Hostage negotiators communicated with Mateen for hours; no shots fired during that time
  • OPD used 'explosive breach,' armored truck to get hostages out of nightclub
  • Mateen escaped during rescue and began firing at officers; he was then killed
  • By 11 p.m. Sunday, all bodies had been removed from the nightclub
  • Other people are being investigated in connection to the shooting
  • FBI seeking tips, information: 1-800-CALL-FBI
  • Orange Avenue closed between Kaley Avenue to Grant Street
  • Obama orders public flags at half-staff till sundown Thursday
  • PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Update: 8:10 a.m.

In an interview with News 13 at the Pulse nightclub, Gov. Rick Scott said sharing information and stopping ISIS are important to stopping attacks like what Orlando saw.

When asked if gun control or restricting access to the assault rifle used by shooter Omar Mateen, the Republican governor said that radical Islam killed the victims of the nightclub, not guns.

"I believe in the right to bear arms. I believe in destroying ISIS. I believe in attacking radical Islam and stopping it. That’s what’s doing this," he answered.

Scott said that he was concerned that the White House would not share information with him. When the Paris terrorist attacks happened, he spoke with the White House and asked that before refugees come to Florida, if the White House can share the vetting information with law enforcement.

According to Scott, the White House refused, citing privacy rights to the refugees, but he said that he replied back, "My citizens have security rights."

Scott believes that information is important to preventing terrorist attacks.

"I don't want another attack at a gay nightclub in my state. I don't want an attack on anybody in my state," he said, adding, "We should take care of everybody."

But he did want people to be alert and report anything suspicious.

"If you see something, you got to say something," he told News 13.

When asked if Mateen had been to other places in Orlando before his attack at the Pulse, Scott said that law enforcement will give that information out as the investigation continues.

But while he said as a city there will be a grieving period, Orlando will recover.

"We will come back," he said. "We're a great city."

Update: 7:01 a.m.

Chris Callen, who worked at Pulse as a performer, told CNN's Anderson Cooper he had seen shooter Omar Mateen numerous times at the club.

Update: 2:30 a.m.

The GoFundMe site to help victims of the Pulse shooting has reached almost $3 million since it was opened on Sunday. Among the biggest donors, GoFundMe.com itself, which gave $100,000. Meanwhile the city of Orlando has created a 501c3 called the One Orlando Fund. The DeVos Family, JetBlue and Darden Restaurants have already pledged hundreds of thousands of dollars to the fund.

Update: 12:20 a.m.

On Tuesday, Target stores across the country will honor two employees who were killed in the shooting Sunday.

Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26, worked at an Orlando-area Target while attending college. Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo worked at a Starbucks inside a Kissimmee Target, and also studied theater.

Target issued this statement Monday:

Like millions of Americans, the Target team is mourning the horrific violence that took place in Orlando over the weekend. Sadly, we confirmed this morning that two of our team members were tragically killed in the attack. Since that time, we have been in contact with their families to offer our heartfelt condolences and have brought in onsite counseling resources for our team.

Update: 12 a.m.

Two Spirit is looking for bilingual volunteers to counsel families affected by the tragedy. They have shifts open for Tuesday and the rest of the week. If you are interested in helping, text Lindsay Kincaid at 504-913-5746. DO NOT CALL.

Update: 9 p.m.

The 49th and final Orlando shooting victim has been publicly identified as Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez.

Update: 8:55 p.m.

President Obama will come to Orlando Thursday to pay respect to the victims' families, according to CNN.

Update: 8:50 p.m.

As the vigil ended, Saunders reminded everyone that there were still people who were at the hospitals, and asked us all to take care of each other.

Update: 8:25 p.m.

Rev. Dr. Betty Deas Clark of Mother Emmanuel Church in South Carolina takes the stage. She says all the love that Mother Emmanuel felt after the fatal shooting at the church a year ago is what she feels in Orlando.

Dan Gross, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said he was coming to Orlando to console residents, but Orlando is inspiring him instead and inspiring the country to say enough.

Update: 8:20 p.m.

Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan takes the stage, fighting tears, to thank everyone in Orlando. "Murderers will not destroy our spirit. I love you, Orlando."

Update: 8:15 p.m.

The president of The Human Rights Campaign traveled from Washington to speak at the vigil. "We are all Orlando today."

Update: 8:05 p.m.

The head of The Center, Orlando's LGBT  community center, thanked Orlando Police Dept. for their work Sunday morning to keep them safe in the moments after the shooting began.

Update: 8 p.m.

Equality FL announces that some $2.4 million has been raised in a GoFundMe account for the victims and their families.

Also, Orlando Health announced on Twitter that at this time all patients have a positive prognosis and appear to be improving.

Update: 7:50 p.m.

Hispanic LGBT leaders and a representative from CAIR are now reading out the names of the victims in the shooting.

Update: 7:40 p.m.

Pulse workers took the stage and vowed to come back, bigger than ever. "We will not be defeated! We are here to stay!"

The owners then led the audience in a chant of "Peace Love Pulse!"

Update: 7:30 p.m.

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs fought back tears as she promised that we would stand "behind you, in front of you and beside" the LGBT community in the fight to be able to be "who you are."

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer also promised the mourners, "We will get through this because we are Orlando... In our city's darkest hour, our residents have shown they are that light."

Update: 7:15 p.m.

A vigil has begun at Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center in Orlando. Former State Rep. Joe Saunders opened the vigil, followed by a performance by the Orlando Gay Chorus and then a remarks by two members of "The Three Wise Guys" an Orlando interfaith team that hosts a radio show.

Imam Muhammad Musri, one of the Three Wise Guys and senior Imam of the Islamic Society of Central Florida, condemned the attack and then called on fellow Muslims to join him and others for a march on Washington to call for an end to violent attacks. He also called for a ban on assault weapons.

Update: 6:10 p.m.

Orlando Health, which runs Orlando Regional Medical Center, announced it will host a news conference Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. It will feature two patients and eight surgeons.

Update: 6 p.m.

Orlando Police Dept. released the names of the officers who fired at the Pulse Nightclub shooter:

  • Officer working extra duty at Pulse: Officer Adam Gruler, member of OPD since 2001
  • First Patrol Unit On Scene (Also a SWAT Member): Lieutenant Scott Smith, member of OPD since 1992
  • First Patrol Unit On Scene (Also a SWAT Member): Sergeant Jeffrey Backhaus, member of OPD since 2004
  • SWAT: Officer Timothy Stanley, member of OPD since 1998
  • SWAT: Officer Kevin Easterling, member of OPD since 1994
  • SWAT: Officer Andrew Bishop, member of OPD since 1994
  • SWAT: Sergeant James Parker, member of OPD since 1991
  • SWAT: Detective Raul Rivas, member of OPD since 1992
  • SWAT: Lieutenant Jonathan Bigelow, member of OPD since 2001
  • SWAT: Officer Ricardo Duenas, member of OPD since 2014
  • Officer shot in the Kevlar helmet: Officer Michael Napolitano, member of OPD since 2012

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates all of OPD’s officer involved shootings.

Update: 5:15 p.m.

Another name has been added to the list of victims in Sunday's shooting.

Akyra Money Murray, 18, is the youngest person killed in the attack at Pulse nightclub.

The names of 48 of the 49 victims have now been released publicly. See the full list.

Update: 5:15 p.m.

Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Orlando, spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate Monday afternoon, after spending Sunday and Monday morning in Orlando near the command center.

Nelson commended first responders, the seamless coordination of federal, state and local officials, and volunteers in the community who have been waiting on line to donate blood.

The senator also said that while his Orlando office took in calls of grief, shock and comfort on Sunday, his office on Monday received hundreds of hateful calls on Monday.

Nelson said that over the next few days and weeks, Americans will have to start diging down deep and figuring out who we are as a nation.

"In the heat of political debate, we can sharply differ, but we can be respectful of the other fellow's point of view," Nelson said. "That’s America, and until we finally come to that conclusion and insist on this aberrant behavior is stopped -- until that happens, we will still be grieving."

Update: 4:50 p.m.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling is one of the many people mourning the loss of the 49 people killed in the attack. In particular, a young Universal employee.

Luis Vielma, 22, was one of the people killed in the attack early Sunday at Pulse nightclub. Rowling the following earlier this morning:

Rowling also tweeted to those who knew Vielma, offering condolences. She also offered prayers to another Universal worker who was injured.

The President of Universal Orlando Resort issued this statement regarding Vielma's death:

Update: 4:25 p.m.

SunRail is holding special extended service tonight so that people can attend the vigil at the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center.

Thousands are expected to attend the vigil outside in downtown Orlando, which could cause a considerable traffic tie-up.

The vigil starts at 7 p.m.

For SunRail fares and schedules, head to the SunRail website.

Update: 4:15 p.m.

Central Floridians continue to turn out in any way they can to help. At the nearby Ace Hardware, workers decided to help out by cooking for police officers.

The store, which is just inside the closure zone on Orange Avenue, was open but not very busy.

“Target contacted us and said hey, if you’ll cook it, we’ll supply all the meat," said Walter Toole with Ace Hardware. "And we’ll bring you some ice. So we worked together, they brought us a bunch of ice and the meat, we start cooking.”

Groups like Libby's Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation are doing their part by organizing volunteers and getting support for everyone from law enforcement to blood donors waiting in long lines at blood banks.

"The people in line at the blood banks. We need to get sunscreen, water, umbrellas to them," said executive director Robin Maynard.

Even pet groups are getting involved. Rescue groups and shelters are volunteering to help care for the pets of victims and survivors, including Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando.

"We are Orlando strong," Maynard said. "We're not going to sit back and hide in fear over this hate crime and terrorist act."

Rowling

Update: 3:40 p.m.

JetBlue is offering free seats on available flights to and from Orlando for immediate family and domestic partners of victims who were killed or injured in the Pulse shooting.

Those who need the help can call 1-800-JETBLUE for details.

JetBlue also said it would waiver fees for customers traveling to and from Orlando who need to change their travel plans at the last minute.

The airline also said it will make a charitable donation to help victims and families.

In addition to being a JetBlue focus city, Orlando is also home to JetBlue's Orlando Support Center and JetBlue University.

Update: 3:30 p.m.

The Florida Disaster Fund has been updated to help provide financial help to any groups that help anyone affected by Sunday's attack.

The state says 100 percent of the funds donated to this acount will go directly to people in need because there is no overhead.

Donations can be made at the Florida Disaster Fund website. Checks can be made payable to the Volunteer Florida Foundation.

  • Volunteer Florida Foundation
    Attention: Florida Disaster Fund
    3800 Esplanade Way, Suite 180
    Tallahassee, FL  32311

Update: 2:45 p.m.

The city of Orlando has released the names of 47 deceased victims from Sunday's shooting at Pulse.

The victims of Sunday's shooting come from all walks of life. We are sharing details about them as the information becomes available.

Tonight at 7 p.m. the city of Orlando will hold a vigil at the Plaza at Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center. Thousands are expected at the vigil.

Update: 11:30 a.m.

Forty-four patients were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center after the Pulse shooting. Twenty-nine remain hospitalized, while five are in "grave" condition, and remain critically ill, hospital officials said Monday.

Since the incident, 26 operations have been performed; six surgeries are scheduled for Monday.

Thanks to community support, local blood banks have more than 600 units of blood on hand, more than normal.

Six patients have been discharged since arriving at ORMC Sunday morning, hospital officials said.

Update: 7:28 a.m.

Members of law enforcement addressed the public early Monday morning to provide updates in the investigation of the deadly Orlando shooting.

Orlando Police Chief John Mina provided a more detailed account of the events that unfolded early Sunday morning during the shooting at Pulse nightclub.

An OPD officer who was working at the club, in full uniform, responded to shots fired at about 2 a.m.

According to Mina, that officer and additional officers who responded to the scene entered into a gun battle with the suspect, identified as Omar Mateen.

Mateen later retreated to one of the bathroom, where he barricaded himself inside with several hostages, police said.

During the hostage situation, negotiators were in contact with Mateen. Chief Mina said during that time Mateen did pledge allegiance to the Islamic State.  No additional shots were fired while Mateen was barricaded inside the bathroom, according to police.

Police decided to set up an explosive breach near one of the bathroom walls in order to free the hostages.  The explosive breach was set off, but it didn’t fully puncture the wall, police said. The decision was made to use an armored truck to punch a hole in the wall. Dozens of people were rescued through the opening in wall. Mateen, who was armed, also escaped through the wall and engaged in gun battle with officers. He was subsequently killed.

When asked about the release of the 911 calls, he said that decision would be up to the FBI since they are part of the agency’s investigation. However, Paul Wysopal with the FBI said the agency is pulling resources from up and down the eastern seaboard to piece together what happened and why.

"The FBI has brought down resources from the Miami field office, the Atlanta field office, the Jacksonville field office, as well and Quantico, Virginia," said Wysopal. "The laboratory has sent down a shooting reconstructionist and that is kind of the next task at hand."

Investigators are looking at what happened after the initial gun battle with Orlando police.

Three weapons were recovered from the gunman. Two have been traced back to Mateen, ATF agents are working to trace the third weapon.

U.S. Attorney Lee Bentley also mentioned that investigators have been collecting electronic and physical evidence related to the shooting. There is an ongoing criminal investigation, but it is in its early stages. Investigators said there are investigating other people, but couldn't say yet whether anyone else will be charged in connection to the shooting.

By 11 p.m. Sunday night, all the deceased victims had been removed from Pulse nightclub and turned over to the Medical Examiner's Office.

So far, the next of kin for 24 of the victims have been notified, but that number is expected to change throughout the day.  Law enforcement officials said that 48 of the 49 victims’ identities have been confirmed.

Mayor Buddy Dyer emphasized the importance of the community coming together after the tragedy.

“We will not be defined by the act of a cowardly hater,” Dyer said.  “We will be defined by how we respond, how we treat each other and this community has already stepped up to do that.”

For the remainder of the day, law enforcement will be working to identify more victims and notify their families.

A hotline has been set up for family members who are still trying to reach loved ones who may have been at Pulse during the shooting.  State Attorney General Pam Bondi stressed that the number is only for immediate family members who are trying to get information.  The number for the hotline is (407) 246-4357.

During the press conference, Governor Rick Scott announced that he had asked President Obama to declare a state of emergency for the State of Florida.  Scott declared a state of emergency for Florida Sunday after being briefed on the shooting.  A state of emergency was also declared for the City of Orlando.