Washington, June 12: At least 50 people were killed and 53 others injured in a shooting rampage early Sunday at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Florida where a state of emergency has been declared.
Several outlets have identified the gunman as Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old from Fort Pierce, Florida.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer confirmed at a press conference that 50 people were killed in the shooting. The Washington Post said the identity of the shooter was confirmed by relatives and law enforcement officials.
The shooter was killed in a shootout with police, as they broke into the night club to rescue 30 people held hostage there.
Officers entered the Pulse Club about three hours after the shooting unfolded, and shot dead the attacker who had taken several hostages, BBC reported.
Police called it an act of terrorism, but said they did not yet know if it was domestic or international. A man who was inside the club described the situation as chaos.
‘‘There were just bodies everywhere… in the parking lot, they were tagging them – red, yellow – so they knew who to help first and who not to. Pants down, shirts cut off, they had to find the bullets. Just blood everywhere,’’ an eyewitness said. CCTV camera footage from the scene showed dozens of emergency vehicles and people being treated on the pavements.
Some of the injured were reportedly brought to the Orlando regional medical centre in police pick-ups. One woman said she had received a text message and phone call from her daughter inside the club, who said she had been shot in the arm. Some witnesses said they heard 40-50 gunshots as the incident unfolded. More than 100 people were enjoying a Latin-themed night in the club, which calls itself the hottest gay bar in the city, when the attack began.
The shooter opened fire at 2a.m. (local time) as the club night was coming to a close.
‘‘We heard rapid fire go off. In the room I was in, people went down to the floor. I wasn’t able to see the shooter or people get hurt, at some point, there was a brief pause, and a group of us got up and went to the exit that leads to the patio area outside. We found an exit and after that… I just ran,’’ Anthony Torres, an eyewitness said.
President Barack Obama, who was briefed Sunday morning by Lisa Monaco, his assistant for Homeland security and counterterrorism, is personally monitoring the situation. The shooting is being investigated by the FBI.
US Congressman Alan Grayson said it was ‘‘no coincidence’’ the attack happened in a gay club.
Relatives were gathering at local hospitals desperate for news of their loved ones. Many had received calls and texts from loved ones inside the club as the siege began, and some have heard nothing since.
The death toll given by Mayor Dyer means that the Orlando attack surpasses the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech which left 32 people dead. IANS
