ORLANDO, Florida -- There are 50 dead and 50 more injured in the Orlando nightclub shooting, and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has declared a state of emergency for the city after Sunday morning's terrorism attack.
This is the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in at least 30 years.
U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, confirmed the gunman's identity as 29-year-old Omar Mateen of Port St. Lucie, calling the attack a "hate crime" because the shooting happened at a gay club.
"It's no coincidence the attack took place where it did and when it did," he said.
A gunman took scores of people hostage overnight inside the nightclub between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.; about 42 people were taken to area hospitals, Mina said.
Officers killed the gunman, who has not been identified, in a shoot out and referred to him as a "lone wolf." He was carrying an assault rifle, a handgun and was possibly wearing an explosive "device." The Orange County Sheriff's Office hazardous device team is now searching the area.
2011 Information Danny Hayes, Director South Dakota Dept. of Public Safety, EMS 118 West Capitol Pierre, SD 57501-2036 605/773-4031 http://dps.sd.gov/emergency_services/emergency_medical_services/default.aspx e-mail:...
2011 Information Danny Hayes, Director South Dakota Dept. of Public Safety, EMS 118 West Capitol Pierre, SD 57501-2036 605/773-4031 http://dps.sd.gov/emergency_services/emergency_medical_services/default.aspx e-mail:...
