Florida shooting: Empire State Building goes dark in memory of victims

In sympathy for the victims of last night’s attack in Orlando, we will remain dark tonight. Photo: @isardasorensen pic.twitter.com/FCmp4JMnph

— Empire State Bldg (@EmpireStateBldg) June 12, 2016

In the wake of the attack by a heavily armed assailant, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that all flags would be flown at half-staff in the largest US city and that security measures have been strengthened, in particular around places associated with the LGBT community.

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De Blasio told reporters that the shooting that also left dozens injured was “against our values.”

He said there were no credible threats directed at New York City.

But “you’ll see a lot of additional police presence on the streets of the city,” he added, stressing: “No city in the world is better prepared to stop terror, to stop hate.”

Full coverage: Read our coverage of the Florida shooting

Hundreds of people gathered on Sunday evening in Greenwich Village to reflect on the violence and leave flowers, candles and letters beside a sign reading ‘Stop Hate’.

The Tony Awards, which honour the best of Broadway, opened in New York dedicated to victims of the shooting, the deadliest terror attack in America since September 11, 2001.