Police: 50 killed in Florida nightclub terror attack

Orlando, Florida (CNN) — A gay nightclub here was the scene early Sunday of the worst terror attack in U.S. history since 9/11.

* 50 people were killed inside the Pulse club and at least 53 people were injured, police say.

* The gunman was Omar Mateen of Ft. Pierce, Florida, a law enforcement source told CNN.



* Orlando police shot and killed Mateen

* Mateen called 911 around the time of the attack to pledge allegiance to ISIS and mention the Boston bombers, according to a U.S. official.







"It appears he was organized and well-prepared," Orlando Police Chief John Mina said early Sunday. The shooter had an assault-type weapon, a handgun and "some type of (other) device on him."

There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack on jihadi forums, but ISIS sympathizers have reacted by praising the attack on pro-Islamic State forums.

Officials, aided by the FBI, warned that a lengthy investigation was ahead given the number of victims and the scope of the violence.

"We know enough to say this was an act of terror and act of hate," President Obama said in an address to the nation from the White House.

While the violence could have hit any American community, "this is an especially heartbreaking day for our friends who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender," he said.



"There's blood everywhere," U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson told reporters. "There's an enormous amount of evidence to be collected."

It's just shocking," said Christopher Hansen, who was inside Pulse when he heard gunshots, "just one after another after another."

"It could have lasted a whole song," he said.

Hansen was getting a drink at the bar about 2 a.m. when he "just saw bodies going down."

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he had declared a state of emergency for the city. Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for Orange County, where the attack occurred.

Before Sunday, the deadliest shootings in U.S. history were at Virginia Tech in 2007 and Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, with 32 and 27 killed.

America's deadliest mass shootings

President Barack Obama was scheduled to make a statement about the attacks at 1:30 pm ET.


Helmet saves officer

Law enforcement sources had told CNN that the suspect had possible explosive devices strapped to his body and in his vehicle, but a U.S. official said later that no explosives were found.

Mina said authorities were called to the club. After a shootout with the gunman around 2 a.m. ET, the shooter ran back inside the club and took people hostage.