The suspect behind the gay nightclub shooting in Orlando, which left dozens dead and injured, has been identified as Omar Mateen, the CBS network reported, citing sources. The channel added that the FBI is currently checking if he was linked to extremists.
A correspondent from the WFTV channel said Mateen was 27 years old and was from Port St. Lucie in Florida, nearly 150km from Orlando.
According to reports on social media, he was born to Afghan parents.
#PulseNightclub#pulse#muslim#omarmateenpic.twitter.com/yOjme3O9jC
— All Journalists (@All_Journalists) June 12, 2016
The suspect was killed by a SWAT team, police earlier confirmed in a press conference.
He was armed with an assault rifle and a handgun, officials 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.
MORE: Orlando shooter ID'd as Omar Mateen, U.S. citizen from Port St. Lucie, FL https://t.co/ekBHZaL2A8pic.twitter.com/E0cw3YAMb3
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 12, 2016
"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.
Orlando Chief of Police John Mina said 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."
Earlier reports suggested the gunman was wearing a bomb.
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