Tulsa Police Take Precautions To Protect LGBT Community; Vigil Planned

The Tulsa Police say they are taking precautions to protect the LGBT community and the public at large following the mass shootings at a gay nightclub in Orlando Sunday.

Fifty people were slain early Sunday at Pulse nightclub, and the shooter killed in a gunfight with police, authorities said. Fifty-three people were wounded.

The CBS affiliate in Los Angeles reports police arrested an armed man near that city's Gay Pride Parade. The Los Angeles mayor said the man told police he was going to the parade.

"An individual here, we believe completely unrelated (to Orlando), who said he was coming to Pride who was heavily armed and was apprehended by Santa Monica police department officials in the area last night," said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti at a press conference Sunday.

TPD issued the following statement:

"Like the rest of our nation, the Tulsa Police Department is horrified by the events last night in Orlando. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.

While there is NO intelligence that would forewarn such an attack in Tulsa, we are taking precautions to ensure the safety of our LGBT community and the public in general.

We will be providing a stepped up presence at several locations in Tulsa and implementing other protective protocols. As would be expected, we are scouring intelligence resources for any threats or concerns.

As always, we encourage our public to report any suspicious behavior. If you see something, say something!

Again, we know of NO threats in our area at this time but we will remain vigilant and proactive in the protection of our community."

Chuck Jordan
Chief of Police

Leaders at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center said they are planning a candle light vigil at 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Club Majestic, 124 North Boston Avenue:

"Oklahomans for Equality is horrified and heartbroken by the act of terrorism in Orlando. A terrorist entered an Orlando Gay nightclub late Saturday night and used assault weapons to murder over 50 patrons and seriously injure more than 65. This incident is now being called the worst mass shooting in US history.

The LGBTQ community of Oklahoma grieves with the Orlando Florida LGBTQ community and those straight allies who lost loved ones and close friends. Once again, terrorism has shown it does not respect innocent life and sees no boundaries and reminds all of us that we are all vulnerable in public spaces.

The rainbow flag has been lowered to half staff at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center in memory of those murdered and injured. There will be a community candle light vigil tonight, Sunday June 12 at 8:30 pm at Club Majestic at 124 North Boston Avenue across from the Guthrie Green."

6/12/2016 Related Story: 50 Dead In Worst Mass Shooting In U.S. History