National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Condemns the Recent Act of Terror in Orlando

Gregory A. Thomas

ALEXANDRIA, VA - June 12, 2016 -"National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) is profoundly troubled and saddened by the horrific and tragic mass shooting at Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, FL earlier today, claiming the lives of at least 50 people and injuring 53," stated Gregory A. Thomas, National President, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).

 

"Our world has once again experienced the violent act of terror, this time against innocent victims of the LGBTQ community," said Thomas. Thomas continues, "NOBLE joins the world in condemning this act of terror and joins President Barack Obama in calling for solidarity and strength as we stand united as a nation."

 

Val Demings, NOBLE Member and former Orlando Police Chief stated, "Today, we find ourselves as a nation in the headlines, once again, due to another mass shooting."  Demings continues, "This one just happens to be in the place I call home, Orlando, Florida.  No words can begin to express the sorrow we are feeling here on the ground as we try to process what happened today. My heart goes out to the victims, their families and friends.  As we try to put a broken community back together and answer many unanswered questions, we must, as a nation, find the courage, to make it more difficult for terrorists and other killers to get their hands on guns.  We now have over 50 more reasons to get it done." 

 

"The men and women at the Orlando Police Department (OPD) and the Orange County Sheriff's Office are some of the most dedicated and loyal public servants and I applaud them for all of their hard work in the wake of this tragedy," said President Thomas.  Thomas continues, "I also reached out to NOBLE member and Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings earlier today, and asked that he extend our deepest sympathies to the victims' families and the greater Orlando community."

 

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About the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives

Since 1976, The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) has served as the conscience of law enforcement by being committed to justice by action. NOBLE represents over 3,000 members internationally, who are primarily African-American chief executive officers of law enforcement agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners. For more information, visit www.noblenational.org.