Mass Shooting At US Nightclub Deadliest In History

A mass shooting that took place inside a Orlando, Florida nightclub on the early hours of SUnday morning has been described as the deadliest mass shooting in US history.

Early on Sunday morning, around 02:00, a gunman entered the iconic gay nightclub, Pulse, in Orlando, Florida in the United States and started shooting into the crowd.

Orlando police have confirmed that at least 50 people were killed in the attack and that more than 50 others were injured. There were also several people who managed to escape the violence that erupted in the club.

The gunman – who had been identified as Omar Mir Seddique Mateen – was also killed during the attack by police officers. Florida police confirmed that there was a brief gun battle between a police officer and Mateen before he retreated back into the club.

Once in the club, it is believed that Mateen then took some people hostage.

The police then used a controlled explosion to distract Mateen after which they raided the building and helped about 30 people escape.

Mateen was killed by police officers.

President Obama held a press conference a few hours after the shooting, saying that this is the deadliest attack in US history, as well as the deadliest attack since 9/11.

Obama called the attack “…an act of terror” and an “act of hate.”

He also revealed that the FBI would be investigating the attack as an act of terrorism.

It is not immediately clear whether or not Mateen had any ties to terrorist organisations like ISIS, although many believe he was acting in solidarity with the jihadi terrorist group.

A statement by Amaq – which is a Islamic news agency believed to be tied to ISIS – said that they do, in fact, claim responsibility for the attack. However, this does not mean that ISIS was explicitly part of the shooting.

Another report also stated that Mateen had called 911 before the shooting and had pledged allegiance to the leader of ISIS.

Many other world leaders have condemned the shooting and have said that they stand in solidarity with the victims, families and people of Orlando as well as the LGBTQ community.