Disney steps up security after Orlando shooting

The Walt Disney Company is increasing security measures at its theme parks after a mass shooting near one of its properties in Orlando, Fla.

“Unfortunately, we’ve been living in a world of uncertainty, and during this time we have increased our security measures across our properties, adding such visible safeguards [like] magnetometers, additional canine units and law enforcement officials on site, as well as less-visible systems that employ state-of-the-art security technologies,” a Disney spokesperson said Monday, according to Fox Business Network.

{mosads}Forty-nine people were killed and another 53 were injured early Sunday morning, when a gunman opened fire on Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

Law enforcement has since identified the shooter as Omar Mateen, 29, a native of Port St. Lucie, Fla. He was killed at the scene during a battle with police.

Reports emerged on Monday that Mateen considered striking Walt Disney World in Orlando before deciding to attack Pulse, a gay nightclub, instead. He purportedly researched the theme park last April during a visit with his wife, Noor Zahi Salman.

Salman on late Sunday told authorities that her spouse had more recently “been scouting Downtown Disney and Pulse” for attacks.

People on Monday reported that Downtown Disney, which was recently renamed Disney Springs, lacked bag checks and security for entering visitors. Disney installed metal detectors outside its Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom parks last year.

Sunday morning’s bloodshed hit a gay nightclub during Pride Month, fueling speculation that Mateen was motivated by animosity toward the LGBT community.

Seddique Mir Mateen, Omar Mateen’s father, on Sunday said his son became “very angry” upon witnessing two men kissing in Miami earlier this year. He added his son’s Muslim faith did not motivate his rampage, insisting the attack had “nothing to do with religion.”

Omar Mateen reportedly voiced solidarity with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) during the attack early Sunday morning.