LA Pride Parade organizers react to Orlando shooting: We are here to march and to mou

Moments before the LA Pride parade got underway Sunday in West Hollywood, organizers, elected leaders and members of the law enforcement community held a news conference and a moment of silence for the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida.

“We are here to march, celebrate and to mou,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said during a media briefing.

• RELATED PHOTOS: LA Pride parade rolls on despite mass shooting in Orlando

Garcetti was joined by West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister, members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI.

“Our hearts will be heavy but our resolve will be strong,” Meister said. “Public safety is our number one priority and the City of West Hollywood is on heightened alert and is working very closely with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the L.A. County Fire Department, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

More than 400,000 people were expected to line Santa Monica Boulevard for the 46th aual LA Pride Parade, and security has been increased in the wake of the shooting at the Pulse, a popular gay nightclub in Orlando. A gunman armed with an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the club early Sunday killing at least 50 people.

• RELATED STORY: Man arrested with weapons, explosive materials wanted to ‘harm people’ at LA Pride

Here in Southe Califoia, as officials tightened security around the LA Pride parade, a heavily armed man, who reportedly told police he plaed to attend Pride events, was taken into custody.

“A male was detained in the city of Santa Monica this moing who was in possession of weapons and other dangerous material,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. “Any possible nexus with this individual and the Pride event in West Hollywood is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”