A mass shooting has taken place in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries, police said, adding that the shooter was killed by a SWAT team. According to officials, the incident can be classified as "a domestic terror incident."
12 June 2016
13:26 GMT
Woke up to hear the devastating news from FL. As we wait for more information, my thoughts are with those affected by this horrific act. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 12, 2016
- 13:02 GMT
"This can be classified as a domestic terror incident," Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said.
An FBI official who was also present at the conference said: "At this time we're looking at all angles right now." He was asked if the shooter might have possible connections with extremists.
"We do have suggestions that that individual may have leanings towards that particular ideology [extremism]. But right now we can’t say definitively so we’re still running everything around," he added.
- 12:53 GMT
. @ChiefJohnMina officers shot & killed the suspect. In gunfire OPD officer shot: Kevlar helmet saved him pic.twitter.com/L51ynmRAfm
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 12, 2016
- 12:30 GMT
- 12:23 GMT
Orlando Chief of Police John Mina said at a press conference that "approximately" 20 people were killed and at least 42 people have been taken to a local hospital. He added that the shooter was wearing some "type of device."
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said: "Many lives were lost."
. @ChiefJohnMina multiple people dead inside the club. Many casualties transported to hospitals. pic.twitter.com/0Lf69tClad
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 12, 2016
- 12:05 GMT
Police said on Twitter that the shooter inside the nightclub was dead. At a press conference the sheriff also confirmed the attacker was killed by a SWAT team. The assailant was armed with an assault rifle and a handgun, officials said.
Pulse Shooting: The shooter inside the club is dead.
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 12, 2016
- 12:03 GMT
Pulse nightclub shooting: Approximately 20 people dead inside the club.
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 12, 2016
- 12:02 GMT
Nearly 320 people were inside the nightclub at the time of the shooting.
- 11:47 GMT
