A gunman opened fire at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing at least 50 people and injuring dozens before being shot dead by police. What do we know about what happened?
How the incident unfolded
The attack began at about 02:00 local time (06:00 GMT) on Sunday, said Police Chief John Mina.
Pulse, which is one of the biggest gay nightclubs in Orlando, Florida, was holding a Latin-themed event that was nearing its end when a man opened fire inside.
Shortly afterwards, the nightclub posted on its Facebook page: “Everyone get out of pulse and keep running.”
The gunman was carrying an AR-15-type assault rifle and a handgun. Police sources have told US media he also had a suspicious device strapped to his body.
There was an exchange of fire with a police officer working at the club, but it is unclear whether that was inside or outside the venue.
A hostage situation developed and at 05:00 local time, officers stormed the building after receiving texts and phone calls from people inside.
The attacker was shot dead in an exchange of fire with 11 officers. Police said there was also a “controlled explosion”.
At least 50 people are also dead, making it the worst mass shooting in recent US history. Other 53 the injured.
Who was the gunman?
Officials have named the suspect as Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old from Fort Pierce, a city about two hours drive south of Orlando, in St Lucie County.
He was originally from Afghanistan and a US citizen since 1986. He was already known to the FBI that in past years had investigated on him for possible links with terrorism. Before the massacre he had called 911 saying to the operator he wants to swear allegiance to Daesh. The group has also called him an “IS fighter”.
Police departments across the country are increasing patrols near locations frequented by the LGBT community.
In Los Angeles, an armed man was arrested by Santa Monica police as he headed to the LA Gay Pride event.
Mr Mateen’s father told NBC News his son became very angry when he saw two men kissing recently in Miami. According to the Washington Post, the parent of Omar Mateen would have been in the past supporter of the Taliban.
What have eyewitnesses said?
There were about 320 people inside the club during the shooting, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Some have been speaking about what they witnessed. “All you saw is people running and screaming and there were bodies in the parking lot where bodies were being tagged,” Christopher Hansen told CNN. “It was like a scene from a horror movie.”
Jon Alamo said he saw a man holding a weapon walking into the room he was in. “I heard 20, 40, 50 shots, he said. “The music stopped.”
Has there been political reaction?
US President Barack Obama said this was an act of terror and an act of hate, with nothing to do with Islam.
The Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, called on the president to resign for not using the words “Islamic terrorism”.
His Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, said: “To the LGBT community: please know that you have millions of allies across our country. I am one of them. We will keep fighting for your right to live freely, openly and without fear. Hate has absolutely no place in America.” But please don’t blame Islamics for that terror act.
She also said there was a need to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists and other violent criminals.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio told CNN the gunman was an “animal” whose act of violence showed that “this is the new face of the war on terror”.
He also paid tribute to the police officers who “saved lives” by raiding the club to bring the attack to an end.
Arrested another man with an arsenal. He was heading to Los Angeles
Shortly after the massacre, another man was arrested in Santa Monica after an arsenal was found in his car, including some assault rifles and explosives. He was directed to the Gay Pride Festival in Los Angeles. The officers intervened after a phone call that alerted them.
Source: BCC