Sunday morning in the United States, at least 50 people were killed and another 53 people were wounded in a shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said, a state of emergency has been declared in the city. The gunman, Omar Mateen, was killed after taking hostages.
It is the worst mass shooting in recent US history. Police described it as an act of terrorism.
Officials said the killings were likely to be ideologically motivated, though there is no information that the gunman was associated with a particular group.
However, US Congressman Alan Grayson said it is no coincidence that the attack happened in a gay club. It is believed that the suspect, who comes from the Florida town of Port St Lucie and is of Afghan descent, was not on a terrorism watch list, although he was currently being investigated for an unrelated criminal act.
Relatives have been 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.
LIVE on #Periscope: Pulse nightclub shooting update https://t.co/cn3JN3gdTy
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 12, 2016
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