Critical Situation In Orlando, Florida: Gunman Kills 50, Injures 53, City Begs For Blood Donors

Tragedy struck at 2:00 a.m. this morning in Orlando, in the U.S. state of Florida. A gunman now suspected to be a terrorist walked into a gay nightclub named ‘Pulse’ and opened fire on virtually anyone within his sight.

Fifty people have been confirmed dead and more than fifty-three others injured. Some of those rushed to the hospital are said to have life-threatening injuries.

The gunman is said to have attacked the nightclub with a rifle and a handgun. He also had a device, yet to be identified, strapped to his waist.

After the shooting, a hostage situation is reported to have ensued with the gunman holding survivors down with his gun. Orlando Police Chief, John Mina, told reporters that a decision was taken by the police at about 5:00 a.m. to enter the club after hostages sent text messages and made phone calls to the police.

Mina also disclosed that the suspect has been killed. “Our SWAT officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, the suspect is dead,” he said.

The FBI has said that it is working to establish whether or not the shooter was “a lone wolf.” The bureau is also yet to know whether this was a case of local terrorism or if it had international dimensions.

This shooting has come as the city of Orlando is still in the news over last Friday’s shooting of 22-year-old singer, Christina Grimmie who was participating in a concert. Christina was killed by a 26-year-old man, Kevin James while she was signing autographs for fans.

Just when People & Power was going to press, the news broke that US officials have identified the mass shooter to be Omar Mateen, an American citizen from the state of Florida. The Orange County Fire Service has also appealed for blood donors to come up with blood donations to save victims who are in critical condition.

U.S. officials have said that the 29 year old Omar Mateen, called 911 to pledge allegiance to the terrorist network, ISIS, before carrying out the attacks.