Florida shootings: 50 killed and 53 injured in deadliest mass shooting in US history

US: 50 people were killed and 53 wounded in a shooting spree at an Orlando gay nightclub in Florida, early Sunday morning that became the deadliest mass shooting in the history of American.

In an earlier report, Police chief John Mina said 20 people had been killed and 42 wounded. But that figure turned out to be wrong after law enforcement agents were able to enter the entire building, and confirmed a new figure.

“There were more victims than originally thought,” Mina said at the second press conference. “Once we were sure there were no devices and could go in confidently, we were able to see the number of victims.”

The gunman who was identified by an anonymous source as Omar Mateen, 29 year from Fort Pierce, Florida was armed with an assault rifle, handgun and “some kind of device”,.

Police killed the gunman during a shootout, and used a Bearcat vehicle to gain access into the nightclub and rescued 30 hostages.
A police officer was shot in the head, but authorities said the officer is safe as the bullet hit his Kevlar helmet”.
Rescued club patrons, some of who were injured, were transferred to the Orlando police department headquarters for interviews by detectives.

A 27 year old man who was at the club at the time of the incident said, the shooting started when he was paying his bill. He said he was carried across the bar by the weight of people pushing to escape and ended up underneath a heap of people. He said, he saw about 20 bodies evidently dead or badly wounded on the floor around him when he looked up, but didn't notice the gunman.

“People were pushing and shoving each other to get out. It was like cows at a slaughterhouse,” he said.

FBI spokesman said investigators believed the attacker may have had extremist connections, and would consider possible links to ISIS.
Dyer said a state of emergency has been declared across Orlando, to allow law enforcement officials carry out proper investigation.
Mina thanked the country for its show of support.

“It’s a tragedy of unimaginable proportions,” Dyer said. “My heart goes out to the victims, their families. But we’re a strong, resilient community.”

Dyer, who has been mayor of Orlando for 14 years, said he had “never seen anything like this. I hope no mayor ever has to see anything like this.”
Dyer commended the first responders on the scene and said he believed their actions, particularly those of the police who first exchanged fire with the gunman, saved lives.