_:n9aae98e3a5ea46b89fc3164e2d922adexb0
<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Fifty people have been confirmed dead and dozens of others injured after a gunman opened fire inside a packed gay nightclub in Orlando, USA.\r\n\r\nPolice have described the incident as a case of domestic terrorism. The shooter has been identified as Omar Mateen, 29. He was reportedly shot and killed by the police after a shootout.\r\n\r\nThough Mr Mateen was born in Florida, his parents are believed to be from Afghanistan.\r\n\r\nPolice are still trying to identify the possible motive for the killing.\r\n\r\n“It appears he was organized and well-prepared,” Orlando Police Chief John Mina said at a Sunday-morning news conference.\r\n\r\nMr. Mina said the shooter had an assault-type weapon and a handgun.\r\n\r\n“This is an incident … that we certainly classify as a domestic terror incident,” Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said at the news conference. The FBI is involved in the investigation, authorities said.\r\n\r\n“We had a crime that will have a lasting effect on our community,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said. “We need to stand strong, we need to be supportive of the victims and their families.”\r\n\r\nThe police said though Mr. Mateen was known to authorities he was not under investigation.\r\n\r\nThe White House said President Barack Obama was briefed on the incident Sunday.\r\n\r\n“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims,” the White House said in a statement.\r\n\r\nThe statement added that Mr. Obama has requested for regular updates.\r\n\r\nThe Pulse posted a message around 2 a.m. local time on Facebook: “Everyone get out of pulse and keep running.”\r\n\r\nThere were around 300 people inside the club at the time of the shooting.\r\n\r\nA police Swat team arrived within minutes of the shooting and engaged the shooter.\r\n\r\nThe incident later developed into a hostage situation.\r\n\r\nMr. Mina later told journalists that the man was also armed with “suspicious device” alongside his guns.\r\n\r\nThere was also a report of a controlled explosion later.\r\n\r\nThe police said the gunman was killed three hours after the shooting began."
<https://newspeakonline.com/50-killed-as-gunman-opens-fire-on-popular-gay-club-in-orlando/>