Local officials react to shooting

Shock and anger about the deadly shooting at an Orlando gay nightclub reverberated throughout the country Sunday as the news spread.

That included reactions from local elected officials, one of whom said the tragedy hit particularly close to home for him. Crow Wing County Commissioner Paul Koering, who is openly gay and vacations in Florida, said he was glued to the television news coverage of the shooting Sunday.

"All these people there that were innocent victims at a place where they were having a good time with their friends and dancing," Koering said. "It's hard to understand how somebody could have that much hatred in their heart for another human being. It's hard for me to understand and it's really troubling."

Koering said the shooting was scary to him because he saw the potential of himself in that situation.

"That could have been me in that club, so it's scary, it's really scary," Koering said. "We don't think it can happen to us, but I don't know, it seems like it's getting closer all the time."

Some reports indicate the alleged shooter pledged allegiance with the Islamic State group, although this has yet to be confirmed. Koering said the shooting should be a wakeup call for American citizens.

"There is so much hatred toward people here in the United States," Koering said. "They want to terrorize. They want to scare us into living a different way of life, make us be afraid to go to the grocery store. ... Their (the Islamic State group) hatred toward gay people is well known."

Koering referenced reports of gay men convicted of homosexuality in Syria being thrown from buildings.

Other local elected officials made statements about the shooting.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., posted on her Twitter account: "I am deeply saddened by the attack in Orlando. I can't imagine what the victims and families are going through. We're praying for them."

Rep. Rick Nolan, D-Minn., also expressed condolences via social media Sunday.

"Truly heartbreaking AM," Nolan posted. "Please keep victims & families in your prayers today. Send thanks to first responders, police, FBI, trauma surgeons."

Gov. Mark Dayton released a statement in a press release along with an order for flags to be flown at half-staff through Thursday in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Barack Obama.

"The horrific act of hatred and terror in Orlando was an unfathomable attack upon all of humanity," stated Dayton in the release. "Our hearts go out to the innocent victims of that heinous assault."

CHELSEY PERKINS may be reached at 218-855-5874 or chelsey.perkins@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchChelsey .