In what is the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, a gunman shot and killed over 50 people and wounded 53 at a gay club in Orlando, Florida early this morning. The attack is being investigated as an act of domestic terrorism. Omar Mateen was equipped with an AR-15-style assault rifle and took many hostages in the bathroom. The gunman was killed by police several hours after the attack.
“It appears he was organized and well-prepared,” Orlando Police Chief John Mina said early Sunday. The shooter had an assault-type weapon, a handgun and “some type of (other) device on him.”
Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence claimed Mateen “made a pledge of allegiance” to ISIS and had been “heard praying in a foreign language.” Mateen’s father denies his son being involved with ISIS but does admit his son’s anger towards gay couples.
PHOTOS: This is the scene at the #Pulse nightclub mass shooting. You can see nightclub behind the dozens of vehicles pic.twitter.com/PccAwwjlCE
— Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) June 12, 2016
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he had declared a state of emergency for the city and has requested the governor do the same for the state while this incident is further investigated.
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