A lone gunman armed with an assault rifle shot and killed 50 people and injured 53 others at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida early on Sunday, in the deadliest mass shooting in the US which was also described as the “worst terror attack” in American history since 9/11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
A state of emergency has been declared in Orlando and statewide after the shooting. Fifty people were killed inside the Pulse nightclub and at least 53 people were injured, police said.
The gunman, named by officials as Omar Mateen, 29, was killed by a SWAT team after he took hostages at Pulse. It is believed that the suspect, who was a US citizen from the Florida town of Port St lucie and was of Afghan descent, was not on a terrorism watch list, although he was being investigated for an unrelated criminal act.
Officials said the killings were likely to be ideologically motivated, though there was no information that the gunman was associated with a particular group. Even though there has been no claim of responsibility for the attack on jehadi forums, but Islamic State sympathisers have reacted by praising the attack on pro-Islamic State forums. He was armed with an assault rifle, a handgun and an unspecified “device”, said officials.
“It appears he was organised and well-prepared," Orlando Police Chief John Mina said. Orlando authorities said they consider the violence an act of domestic terror and the FBI is involved in the probe.
While investigators are exploring all angles, they “have suggestions the individual has leanings towards (Islamic terrorism), but right now we can’t say definitely,” said Ron Hopper, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Orlando bureau.
The shooter's father told NBC News: "This has nothing to do with religion." Mir Seddique said Omar Mateen had been angry when he saw two men kissing in Miami recently.
"We are saying we are apologising for the whole incident. We weren't aware of any action he is taking. We are in shock like the whole country," Seddique told NBC News. US President Barack Obama was briefed on the mass shooting, which police described as an act of terrorism.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims. The President asked to receive regular updates as the FBI, and other federal officials, work with the Orlando Police to gather more information , and directed that the federal Government provide any assistance necessary to pursue the investigation and support the community," said a statement by Barack Obama's Press Secretary.
US Congressman Alan Grayson said it was "no coincidence" the attack happened in a gay club.Relatives were gathering at local hospitals desperate for news of their loved ones.
Many had received calls and texts from loved ones inside the club as the siege began, and some have heard nothing since.
The deadly incident started over a three hour period, beginning in the wee hours of Sunday when shots were fired amid the loud music at the Pulse Orlando gay nightclub.
Police said the shots were fired by a gunman armed with an assault rifle and a handgun.
"The suspect at some point went back inside the club where more shots were fired. This did turn into a hostage situation," Mina told reporters adding "This morning, the decision was made to rescue hostages that were in there."
The death toll given by Mayor Dyer means that the Orlando attack surpasses the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech which left 32 people dead.
"Today we are dealing with something that we never imagined and is unimaginable," he said, adding that there was "an enormous amount of havoc" and "blood everywhere".
"Because of the scale of the crime I've asked the Florida Governor to declare a state of emergency," he said.
"We're also issuing a state of emergency for the city of Orlando so that we can bring additional resources to bear to deal with the aftermath."
Vice President Joe Biden also offered his prayers for all those killed and injured in the shooting and sends his condolences to all the families of the victims.
"Really bad shooting in Orlando. Police investigating possible terrorism. Many people dead and wounded," Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said in a tweet.
"Horrific incident in Fl. Praying for all the victims & their families. When will this stopIJ When will we get tough, smart & vigilantIJ" he said in another tweet.
"Woke up to hear the devastating news from Fl. As we wait for more information, my thoughts are with those affected by this horrific act," tweeted Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate.