Today: ‘An Act of Terror and Hate.’ How to Save a Life.
I’m Davan Maharaj, editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Times. Here are some story lines I don’t want you to miss today.
TOP STORIES
‘An Act of Terror and Hate’
When the first of dozens of shots rang out, many thought the sound was part of the music. The deadliest shooting in U.S. history left 50 people dead and 53 wounded at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Though the shooter had been investigated for possible terror ties in 2013 and 2014, officials said, he was able to legally buy two guns “within the last week or so.” About 20 minutes into the attack, Omar Mateen called 911 and pledged his allegiance to Islamic State. After three hours, a SWAT team took him out. Here is the latest on the terror attack.
Johnpaul Vazquez, right, and his boyfriend Yazan Sale sit by Lake Eola, in downtown Orlando, thinking of those killed and injured.
How to Save a Life
Just after Josh McGill had crawled out of the Pulse and into the nightclub’s parking lot, he saw a man stumbling toward him, covered in blood. “Can you help me?” the man pleaded. McGill grabbed him and pulled him behind a car. The man had been shot more than once. “Don’t worry, I got you,” McGill said. Here is how he saved a stranger’s life with a shirt and a bear hug.
More About the Orlando Attack
-- The victims of the shooting: Who were they?
-- “I complained multiple times that he was dangerous”: Those who knew gunman describe him as angry and abusive.
-- In a month of pride, the gay community becomes a target of terror.
-- Police face questions about the delayed response.
The Politics of Terror
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton both plan to address terrorism in speeches today. Their reactions on Sunday highlighted their differences. “Because our leaders are weak, I said this was going to happen, and it is only going to get worse,” Trump said in a statement. “We can’t afford to be politically correct anymore.” Clinton described the attack as “an act of terror” and “also an act of hate,” and cited it as a reason to change gun laws.
Armed and Headed for L.A. Pride
Three assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, ammunition and a 5-gallon bucket with chemicals that can be used to make an improvised explosive device. That’s what Santa Monica police said they found in the car of an Indiana man just hours after the Orlando attack. Authorities said James Wesley Howell told them he was going to the annual L.A. Pride parade, but his intentions were unclear.
‘History Has Its Eyes on You’
In the wake of the Orlando tragedy, the Tony Awards show went on -- dedicated to “the families and friends of those affected.” Host James Corden called the theater “a place where every race, creed, sexuality and gender is equal, is embraced and is loved.” And Times senior culture editor Mary McNamara found the awards “a reminder that we have overcome times even worse than these.” Here’s why she found particular meaning in a line from the winning musical “Hamilton.”
OUR MUST-READS FROM THE WEEKEND
-- A hangar at JFK International Airport became the tomb of 9/11. Now nearly empty, its job is done.
-- Former Stanford swimmer Brock Turner’s claims to a judge are contradicted in new documents.
-- How one of L.A.’s highest-paying jobs went to the boss’ son at the Port of Los Angeles.
-- From Barry Goldwater to Pete Wilson to Donald Trump: Is the GOP on the verge of losing Latinos for a generation?
-- The FBI gets an unexpected lesson in interrogation from a former Nazi.
-- Did you have trouble voting Tuesday? Some poll workers say they’re not surprised.
-- Bill Plaschke on the sights and sounds from Muhammad Ali’s funeral.
CALIFORNIA
-- Inglewood will pay $4.6 million to an unarmed man shot by a police officer.
-- L.A. County is putting pressure on Sacramento to impose a “millionaires tax” to combat homelessness.
-- Celebrating the day when the love of an interracial couple conquered centuries of hate.
-- Parting words: Some high school graduation speeches in Los Angeles.
NATION/WORLD
-- Blasts rocked Shanghai’s airport ahead of this week’s Disney resort opening.
-- An official says a rapist seeking revenge is suspected in the deaths of 11 family members in Mexico.
-- This is what it’s like to live under North Carolina’s bathroom law if you’re transgender.
-- A rebellion inside a small Indian sect seeks to end female genital mutilation.
HOLLYWOOD AND THE ARTS
-- Singer Christina Grimmie was gunned down after a Friday concert in Orlando. Here are six performances to remember her by.
-- Theater critic Charles McNulty on what those 11 Tony Awards for “Hamilton” mean for Broadway and the art of theater.
-- Did Led Zeppelin steal a riff for “Stairway to Heaven”? A court will decide.
-- Artist Cindy Sherman reveals her latest body of work at the Broad Museum.
-- Bob Dylan doesn’t just stick with his greatest hits in Santa Barbara.
-- “The Walking Dead” star Norman Reedus hits the open road on his engaging new series.
BUSINESS
-- Facebook is a bigger player at this year’s VidCon, a convention that’s long been synonymous with YouTube.
-- Electronic Arts gets into e-sports with a $1-million “Madden” championship.
-- Are you on track for retirement? Do the math.
SPORTS
-- The Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup, defeating the San Jose Sharks in six games.
-- Helene Elliott: Gordie Howe was larger than hockey.
-- The NBA has suspended the Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green for Game 5 tonight.
-- UC Santa Barbara advances to the College World Series with a walk-off grand slam.
OPINION
-- The mass murder in Orlando is the most recent in a horrific parade of violence.
-- George Skelton: Should barbaric boxing be KOd?
WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE READING
-- A timeline of events in the Pulse nightclub shooting. (Orlando Sentinel)
-- Violence against LGBT people has become all too common. (The Atlantic)
-- Terrorists are turning to guns to carry out attacks in the U.S. (FiveThirtyEight)
ONLY IN CALIFORNIA
When Joey Carney made it onto the University of San Francisco’s baseball team as a pitcher against all odds, he said, “At that moment, it was the greatest accomplishment of my life.” But an even bigger one was to come, when he found out his mom needed a liver transplant. This is how he became the first college athlete to become an organ donor – and how he risked it all to save his mother’s life.
Please send comments and ideas to Davan Maharaj.
