Local LGBTQ Activist Discusses Orlando Nightclub Shooting

The shooting at Pulse night club in Orlando, Fla. sparked outrage and sorrow with vigils and other shows of support for the roughly 50 killed, taking place in communties across the world, including here in New Bedford.

Rebecca McCullough, of the South Coast LGBTQ Network, told WBSM's Brian Thomas, that she's not surprised the incident has generated a worldwide response.

"It's resonating around the world," said McCullough "and I think violence around the world needs to be handled as a community."

The Orlando shooting also occurred in the same year that the local LGBTQ Community observed the tenth anniversary of the attack on the Puzzles nightclub in New Bedford.

In speaking about these two events McCullough said that she can't help but notice some similarities.

"A young man came into a bar with a machete, injured three or four people before escaping," said McCullough "and the reason he was so beligerent is because it was a gay bar."

McCullough also said that the Orlando shooter, identified as Omar Mateen, had a history of behavior, including domestic violence that were warning signs of potential violence in the future and that whenever people notice suspicious behavior it needs to be reported immediately.

The Grace Episcopal Church in New Bedford will be holding a gathering at 6 p.m. Monday to remember the victims of the Orlando Shootings.

A candlelight vigil will then take place Tuesday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in front of New Bedford City Hall.

The candlelight vigil is being put together by WBSM, FUN 107, New Bedford Guide, Mayor Jon Mitchell’s Office, New Bedford Standard Times, and the Southcoast LGBTQ Network.