50 Dead, 53 Injured After Shooting At Gay Nightclub In Orlando

Police now report that there are at least 50 casualties from a shooting inside Pulse, an LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Saturday night. The shooter opened fire on attendees inside the venue at approximately 2 AM before participating in a shootout with 9 officers outside of the space. The shooter then re-entered the club, creating a hostage situation. Authorities were able to break down the door, at which point police shot and killed the gunman.

Officers have reported that 53 others were injured as a result of the attack, and have identified the gunman as Omar Saddiqui Mateen, a 29-year old resident of Fort Pierce, a city just South East of Orlando. Mateen is said to have been armed with an "assault-type weapon, a handgun and 'some type of (other) device on him'," according to the chief of police via CNN. 

Local police have called the shooting an "act of domestic terror," and the FBI are now involved in the investigation. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has declared a state of emergency for the city. It is being referred to as the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.

We will provide updates on the situation as they become available.