Friends and family members embrace outside Orlando Police Headquarters after a shooting at the Pulse night club, in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016.
Terry DeCarlo, executive director of the LGBT Center of Central Florida, left, Kelvin Cobaris, pastor of The Impact Church, center, and Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan console each other after a shooting involving multiple fatalities at a nightclu
Hundreds of community members line up outside a clinic to donate blood after an early morning shooting attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016.
Demetrice Naulings sobs outside Orlando Police Headquarters where police are interviewing witnesses in the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016.
Jermaine Towns, left, and Brandon Shuford wait down the street from a multiple shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, June 12, 2016. Towns said his brother was in the club at the time. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Orlando Police Chief John Mina and other city officials answer the media's questions about the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016.
Officers arrive at Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, center right, and Orlando Police Chief John Mina, center left, arrive to a news conference after a fatal shooting at Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, Fla., June 12, 2016.
An Orange County Sheriff's Department SWAT member arrives at the scene of a fatal shooting at Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016.
Emergency personnel at Orlando Regional Medical Center hospital prepare to treat people wounded at the Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016.
A gunman behind the killing of 50 people in an Orlando, Florida, nightclub early Sunday has reportedly been identified as Omar Saddiqui Mateen, a U.S. citizen of Afghan descent.
Orlando Police officers direct family members away from a multiple shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016.
Police cars and fire trucks are seen outside the Pulse night club after a mass shooting, Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016.
A gunman has killed 50 people and wounded another 53 at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. It was the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
President Barack Obama, in an address to the nation Sunday, called the attack “an act of terror and an act of hate.” He said the American people are united in grief and outrage. Obama praised the police and others who worked to rescue the hostages and end the attack.
The president also called the attack a “further reminder of how easy it is for someone to get their hands on a weapon.” Obama's comments mark his fifteenth address linked to a mass shooting during his presidency.
Many families still do not know the fate of their loved ones who were at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
Police have identified the shooter as Omar Saddiqui Mateen. He worked as a security guard since 2007. He was killed at the scene in a gunfight with police. Mateen is a U.S. citizen born in New York. His parents are from Afghanistan.
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida said intelligence officials informed him the shooter might have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. He added investigators are focused on Fort Pierce, about 190 kilometers from Orlando, where the gunman lived.
Ronald Hopper of the FBI said Mateen purchased at least two guns last week. He said the FBI had earlier questioned Mateen after reports that he had made comments sympathetic to the Islamic State. But the agency determined there was not enough evidence to continue an investigation.
Mateen's father, Mir Siddiqui, told NBC News that he did not believe the attack was connected to religion. He suggested it was more likely an act of homophobia. He said his son had expressed deep anger when he saw two men kissing recently.
"We are saying we are apologizing for the whole incident," Siddiqui said. "We are in shock like the whole country."
The suspect exchanged gunfire with an officer working at the nightclub around 2 o'clock in the morning. About 300 people were inside. The gunman then went inside and took hostages, Orlando police chief John Mina said.
About three hours later, officials sent in a special police team to rescue the hostages. Officers shot and killed the attacker.
The shooter had an assault rifle and a handgun.
“It appears he was organized and well prepared," Chief Mina said.
World leaders have reacted to the news of the massacre in Florida with messages of sympathy and solidarity with the United States.
French President Francois Hollande sent a statement condemning “with horror" the mass killing in Florida. It expressed the “full support of France and the French with America's authorities and its people in this difficult time.”
Italian Premier Matteo Renzi posted a message on the social media website Twitter. "Our heart is with our American brothers," he wrote.
The Vatican said Pope Francis joins the families of victims in “prayer and compassion.”
Caty Weaver wrote this report for VOA Learning English based on VOA News, the Associated Press and Reuters news reports. Hai Do was the editor.
Words in This Story
nightclub - n. a place that is open at night, has music, dancing, or a show, and usually serves alcoholic drinks and food
outrage - n. extreme anger : a strong feeling of unhappiness because of something bad, hurtful, or morally wrong
assault rifle - n. a gun that can shoot many bullets quickly and that is designed for use by the military
fate - n. the things that will happen to a person or thing: the future that someone or something will have
pledge allegiance - verb phrase: to declare loyalty to a person, country, group, etc.
homophobia - n. a person who hates or is afraid of homosexuals or treats them unfairly
authorities - n. people who have power to make decisions and enforce rules and laws
compassion - n. a feeling of wanting to help someone who is sick, hungry, in trouble, etc.
