An attorney who is representing survivors and families of victims of Pulse has filed a lawsuit, saying that law enforcement was afraid to go into the nightclub during the attack and claimed that the Orlando Police Department and the city violated the rights of survivors.
- Attorney Solomon Radner says police were scared to not act faster
- Survivors believe law enforcement should have done something sooner
- Police, city have not commented yet
During a Thursday news conference, attorney Solomon Radner listed the reasons why he filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city and the police department in their role in the Pulse shooting by Omar Mateen that left 49 dead and dozens injured.
Those reasons are:
- The city and police department did not have a properly train law enforcement or have a policy in place for such an attack.
- Victims had their civil rights violated by having their property seized and they themselves detained against their will.
- The club's guard, who was an off-duty police officer, should have done more.
Radner called the Pulse attack a mass shooting and that law enforcement should already have guidelines in case of such an assault.
The club hired the police officer through the city and while he was off duty as an officer, he worked as a guard for Pulse, said Radner, who added that he would not name the person at this time.
He claimed that the officer who was supposed to guard the Pulse club left his post and was not in the club or near it.
"He should have done what he was there to do: Protect the club," Radner said.
The lawyer also said the officer should have ran into the club and stop the shooter.
"It is all of our position here that the overwhelming majority that the law enforcement officers are heroes," Radner said. However, he says that it "shocks the conscience" that someone would leave his or her post.
Radner admitted that it was a difficult time for law enforcement, but says that police were not properly trained for what happened at Pulse. However, he says that the Pulse attack was "predictable" because it was a shooting.
Radner says he believes the reason why some police officers did not act faster and go into Pulse sooner when the shooting was taking place because "I think they were scared. I think they were worried about personal safety instead of the safety of others."
He added that the reason why he is filing the lawsuit now is that it took time for records to be released and to go over them.
Before Radner spoke, some of the survivors and relatives shared their stories. Sandy Roberts, talks about how her car was held by law enforcement after the shooting. She talks about her PSD, even though she was not shot or injured, but says she has suffered.
Keinon Carter, a Pulse survivor, talks about what he went through during the shooting.
"We deserve to be rescued sooner," he said.
Berto Capo echoed Carter, saying he believes his brother Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo would still be alive if police have acted sooner.
Sandy Roberts, who also spoke, is among 34 Pulse survivors and victim family members who are suing City of Orlando and police officers.
The City of Orlando and OPD responded to the lawsuit Thursday afternoon:
"The City of Orlando has not seen the lawsuit, nor have we been formally served with the lawsuit. We can't comment on the substance of the litigation.
Nearly two years after the horrific act of hate inside the Pulse nightclub, our community continues to mourn the 49 lives taken and provide support for all those impacted. On the morning of June 12, 2016, federal, state and local law enforcement officers and first responders put themselves in harm’s way to save as many lives as possible.
Our first responders are committed to the safety of this community, and they stand ready to protect and serve."