Gunman Dead After Pulse Nightclub Mass Shooting In Orlando

Categories: Florida

Gunman Dead After Pulse Nightclub Mass Shooting In Orlando

UPDATE: Florida Governor Declares State of Emergency

UPDATE: 50 confirmed dead, 53 injured, many in critical condition.

UPDATE: As of 5:50 a.m., Orlando police confirm that the shooter is dead.

UPDATE: As of 5:40 a.m., the shooter still remains on scene. It is unknown if any hostages have been taken.

ORLANDO, Florida – A gunman opened fire at a popular gay nightclub in Orlando just after 2 a.m. Sunday morning, leaving up to 40 people injured with an unknown number of deaths.

According to witness postings social media, the gunman entered the Pulse nightclub located at 1912 South Orange Avenue just after 2 a.m. and began firing with what sounded like an automatic weapon.

“I was there. Shooter opened fire @ around 2:00am,” one patron posted on Facebook. “People on the dance floor and bar got down on the floor and some of us who were near the bar and back exit managed to go out through the outdoor area and just ran. I am safely home and hoping everyone gets home safely as well “

On Facebook, Pulse issued the following message to club-goers around 2:30 a.m.

“Everyone get out of pulse and keep running”

The gunman then remained inside the nightclub located at 1912 South Orange Avenue while police from multiple agencies swarmed the downtown area.

Just after 4 a.m., an explosion was heard in downtown Orlando. The Orlando Police Department confirmed that the sound was a controlled explosion.

As of 5:30 a.m., a heavy law enforcement presence still remains on scene along with a deployed SWAT team while multiple ambulances transport the injured to local hospitals.

Because this is still an active and ongoing situation, OPD has not held a press briefing.

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