Two of the north-east’s largest councils have paid tribute to those who lost their lives in Sunday’s mass shooting in Orlando.
Aberdeenshire Council joined other Scottish councils in flying the Pride flag, while Aberdeen City Council hosted a stunning light tribute at Marischal College.
The council headquarters will remain lit up with rainbow colours for a week in tribute to those lost.
For the innocent victims who sadly lost their lives in Sunday’s attack in #Orlando pic.twitter.com/8kvR0H2Ry5
— Abdn City Council (@AberdeenCC) June 13, 2016
Forty-nine people were killed in the attack at an Orlando gay club after gunman Omar Nateen stormed with the building with an automatic weapon.
Investigators say Nateen had pledged himself to the terror group ISIS before carrying out the attack but it is not known whether they had any direct involvement.
President Barack Obama has since described the massacre as an “act of terror” and FBI director James Comey said Nateen had “strong indications of radicalisation” and was probably influenced by foreign terrorist organisations.
We’ve joined other Scottish councils to fly the Pride flag today after the tragedy at #Pulse nightclub, Orlando. pic.twitter.com/JH8QTMu4km
— AberdeenshireCouncil (@Aberdeenshire) June 13, 2016
Mateen’s father, Sedique Mir Mateen, told reporters that the shooting had been “the act of a terrorist” and added: “I apologise for what my son did. I am as sad and mad as you guys.”
Thirty-nine were killed at the club, while others later died in hospital. Authorities are still identify the victims and notifying families.