50 Dead so far Mass shooting in Orlando night club, reports of hostage situation, gunman possibly 'wearing a bomb'

Reuters Graphics Retracing the attack inside the Pulse nightclub A gunman killed 49 people at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday, in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, and the worst attack on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Below is a timeline of events that occurred throughout the morning. 12:12 a.m. Packed nightclub Neema Bahrami, the manager of Pulse nightclub posts a video to his Facebook page from from inside the club showing a packed crowd surrounding a performer. 1:58 a.m. Inside nightclub Patience Carter, 20, says she looked at a cellphone and turned to friend to ask how they would get home. In the moments between her asking the question and her friend ordering the Uber, that's when first gunshots were heard. "At first we didn’t know that they were gunshots." There were about 300 people in the club at the time, police said About 2:00 a.m. Main entrance An Orlando police officer working at the Pulse Nightclub responds to shots fired, according to the Orlando Police Department, and engages in a gunfight with Omar Mateen. Shortly after 2:00 a.m. Main dance floor Mateen heads deeper into Pulse, spraying club-goers with bullets from an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle and a pistol as he goes. Many of the victims appear to have been killed in those first frantic minutes, as Mateen fires round after round at an almost continuous pace. Investigators later said that victims’ wounds suggested he used both guns. Shortly after 2:00 a.m. Various exits Some patrons flee through a door to a patio area at the side of the building, scrambling to take cover as they made it outside. Others escape through a side door. And some head toward a rear area walled off from the main part of the club. Shortly after 2:00 a.m. Restrooms in the rear of the nightclub Officers then chase Mateen toward the bathrooms, where he barricades himself inside, along with hostages, Orlando Police Chief John Mina told reporters. Many clubgoers also crammed into a pair of bathrooms along the rear wall. 2:09 a.m. Restrooms in the rear of the nightclub Pulse Orlando’s Facebook page issues a warning: “Everyone get out of pulse and keep running.” Ten minuters later, Brandon Wolf, a former Bravo reality television competition contestant, tweets, “Omg. Shooting at pulse. We hid in the bathroom. And we can't find our friends.” About 2:30 a.m. Mateen makes 911 calls from the club during the attack beginning about 2:30 a.m, said FBI Director James Comey. There were three different calls. First, he called and hung up. He called again and spoke briefly with the dispatcher and then hung up. The dispatcher called him back again and they spoke briefly. 2:45 a.m. Mateen calls local TV station News 13 and tells producer he is shooting in the name of Islamic State and speaks a foreign language. "I will never forget the words he said to me," Matthew Gentili of News 13 said. "I'm the shooter. It's me. I am the shooter," Gentili said in a post on the station’s website. 2:46 a.m. Restrooms in the rear of the nightclub Eddie Justice texts his mother “Still here in bathroom. He has us. They need to come get us,” according to media reports. Minutes later, Mina Justice tells her son that the police are on the scene. Eddie texts back, “Hurry” and “he’s in the bathroom with us.” He is later identified as one of the deceased. 3:00 a.m. Restrooms in the rear of the nightclub According to Sheriff Jerry Demings, SWAT team is not fully deployed but Mateen is contained and isolated in bathroom. Orlando Police Department/Handout 3:58 a.m. Orlando Police sends out its first tweet on the incident, including a photo of numerous emergency vehicles: “Shooting at Pulse Nightclub on S Orange. Multiple injuries. Stay away from area.” About 5:00 a.m. Restrooms in the rear of the nightclub Witnesses hear three gunshots from Mateen. Patience Carter says she heard him shoot three people in the bathroom. By this time, Carter had been on the floor of the bathroom stall for hours, her femur shattered by a bullet, pinned beneath friends and strangers. 5:00 a.m. Outside the restrooms Concerned that more clubgoers were about to be killed, police make the decision to breach the nightclub walls to rescue hostages, says Orlando Police Chief Mina. They use an explosive, which does not completely penetrate the wall. An armored vehicle then punches a hole in the wall. Law enforcement officials would later confirm that 30 hostages were rescued through the hole. Shortly after 5:00 a.m. Outside the restrooms Sheriff Demings said Mateen emerges from bathroom area and engages in gunfire with SWAT team and Orange County Sheriff's hazardous device team. Reuters/Jim Young 5:53 a.m. Orlando Police tweet confirmation that the shooter is dead: “Pulse Shooting: The shooter inside the club is dead.” Reuters/Carlo Allegri 6:21 a.m. Bahrami writes on Facebook, “I am safe everyone give me a minute trying to make sure the staff and guest that are with me are safe.” Sources: Reuters; Orlando Office of the City Clerk; Orlando Police Department; social media posts By Christine Chan, Amy Tennery, Peter Eisler and Ashlyn Still | REUTERS GRAPHICS ================================================ Sun Jun 12, 2016 | 4:11 PM EDT Fifty massacred at Florida gay club, worst shooting in U.S. history 2h ago | 00:45 Police search car, house in Florida shooting rampage Fifty massacred at Florida gay club, worst shootin...X By Barbara Liston ORLANDO, Fla. (Reuters) - A man armed with an assault rifle killed 50 people at a packed gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida on Sunday in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, which President Barack Obama described as an act of terror and hate. Police killed the shooter, who was identified as Omar Mateen, 29, a Florida resident and U.S. citizen who was the son of immigrants from Afghanistan. Mateen called 911 on Sunday morning and made comments saying he supported the Islamic State militant group, officials said. "It has been reported that Mateen made calls to 911 this morning in which he stated his allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State," said Ronald Hopper, the FBI's assistant special agent in charge on the case. U.S. officials cautioned, however, that they had no conclusive evidence of any direct connection with Islamic State or any other foreign extremist group. "We know enough to say this was an act of terror, an act of hate," Obama said in a speech from the White House. "As Americans, we are united in grief, in outrage and in resolve to defend our people." U.S. officials have reached no definitive judgment on the killer's precise motives, Obama added. "We must spare no effort to determine what, if any, inspiration or association this killer may have had with terrorist groups," he said. Fifty-three people were wounded in the rampage. It was the deadliest single U.S. mass shooting incident, eclipsing the 2007 massacre of 32 people at Virginia Tech university. Pulse was crowded with some 350 revelers at a Latin music night when the attack happened. Clubgoer Joshua McGill described in a posting on Facebook how he fled the attack. "I hid under a car and found one of the victims that was shot," McGill said, describing trying to bandage the victim with his shirt and quietly dragging him to a nearby police officer. "Words cannot and will not describe the feeling of that. Being covered in blood. Trying to save a guy's life." A hostage situation developed, and three hours later a team of SWAT officers used armored cars to storm the club before shooting dead the gunman. It was unclear when the victims were killed. ADVERTISEMENT The number of dead shocked local officials, who had initially put the death toll at 20. "Today we're dealing with something that we never imagined and is unimaginable," Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said. He said 39 people died inside the club, two outside, and nine others died after being rushed to hospital. Orlando Regional Medical Center Hospital said it had admitted 44 victims, including nine who died, and had carried out 26 operations on victims. PRIOR FBI INTERVIEWS Mateen had twice been interviewed by FBI agents, in 2013 and 2014, after making comments to co-workers indicating he supported militant groups, but neither interview lead to evidence of criminal activity, the FBI's Hopper said. As police tried to determine what motivated Mateen's rampage, about a dozen unmarked police cars had gathered around a Port Saint Lucie house that appeared to be linked to the gunman. Police on the scene declined to comment, and neighbors said they didn't much activity in or around the white stucco home ‹ Orlando police lock down the emergency room entrance of Orlando Regional Medical Center, just blocks from the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shooting rampage in Orlando, Florida June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski Orlando police lock down the emergency room entrance of Orlando Regional Medical Center, just blocks from the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shoot... Reuters/Kevin Kolczynski + Friends and family members embrace outside the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman, in Orlando, Florida, U.S June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Steve Nesius Friends and family members embrace outside the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman... Reuters/Steve Nesius + Orlando gay nightclub mass shooting suspect Omar Mateen, 29 is shown in this undated photo. Orlando Police Department/Handout via Reuter Orlando gay nightclub mass shooting suspect Omar Mateen, 29 is shown in this undated photo. Orlando Police Department/Handout via Reuter Friends and family members embrace outside the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse night club, where as many as 20 people have been injured after a gunman opened fire, in Orlando, Florida, U.S June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Steve Nesius Friends and family members embrace outside the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse night club, where as many as 20 people have bee... Reuters/Steve Nesius + Police cars and fire trucks are seen outside the Pulse night club where police said a suspected gunman left multiple people dead and injured in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016. Orlando Police Department/Handout via REUTERS Police cars and fire trucks are seen outside the Pulse night club where police said a suspected gunman left multiple people dead and injured in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 201... Reuters + Hundreds of community members line up outside a clinic to donate blood after an early morning shooting attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando. REUTERS/Steve Nesius Hundreds of community members line up outside a clinic to donate blood after an early morning shooting attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando. Reuters/Steve Nesius Friends and family members embrace outside the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman, in Orlando, Florida, U.S June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Steve Nesius Friends and family members embrace outside the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman... Reuters/Steve Nesius + Officers arrive at the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Steve Nesius Officers arrive at the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016. Reuters/Steve Nesius Volunteers Clinton Grubb (L), Brittani Acuff (C) and others gather at The Center, a GLBT organization, to provide assistance and counseling to the community after an early morning shooting attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando. REUTERS/Steve Nesius Volunteers Clinton Grubb (L), Brittani Acuff (C) and others gather at The Center, a GLBT organization, to provide assistance and counseling to the community after an early mo... Reuters/Steve Nesius + Friends and family members leave the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman, in Orlando, Florida, U.S June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Steve Nesius Friends and family members leave the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman, in Orlan... Reuters/Steve Nesius + A handout photograph posted by the Orlando Police Department on Twitter with the words, ''Pulse shooting: In hail of gunfire in which suspect was killed, OPD officer was hit. Kevlar helmet saved his life'', in reference to the operation against a gun man inside Pulse night club in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016. Orlando Police Department/Handout via REUTERS A handout photograph posted by the Orlando Police Department on Twitter with the words, ''Pulse shooting: In hail of gunfire in which suspect was killed, OPD officer was hit.... Reuters + U.S. Senator Bill Nelson speaks at a news conference after a shooting attack at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S. June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski U.S. Senator Bill Nelson speaks at a news conference after a shooting attack at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S. June 12, 2016. Reuters/Kevin Kolczynski FBI agent Ron Hopper speaks at a news conference after a shooting attack at at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S. June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski FBI agent Ron Hopper speaks at a news conference after a shooting attack at at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S. June 12, 2016. Reuters/Kevin Kolczynski Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer speaks at a news conference after a shooting attack at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S. June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer speaks at a news conference after a shooting attack at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S. June 12, 2016. Reuters/Kevin Kolczynski Imam Muhammad Musri speaks at a news conference after a shooting attack at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S. June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski Imam Muhammad Musri speaks at a news conference after a shooting attack at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S. June 12, 2016. Reuters/Kevin Kolczynski Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orlando police chief John Mina and FBI agent Ron Hopper speak at a news conference after a shooting attack at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orlando police chief John Mina and FBI agent Ron Hopper speak at a news conference after a shooting attack at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, F... Reuters/Kevin Kolczynski + Demetrice Naulings sobs outside the Orlando Police Headquarters where police are interviewing witnesses in the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman, in Orlando, Florida, U.S June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Steve Nesius Demetrice Naulings sobs outside the Orlando Police Headquarters where police are interviewing witnesses in the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where peopl... Reuters/Steve Nesius + Friends and family members gather outside the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman, in Orlando, Florida, U.S June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Steve Nesius Friends and family members gather outside the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman,... Reuters/Steve Nesius + Friends and family members embrace outside the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman, in Orlando, Florida, U.S June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Steve Nesius Friends and family members embrace outside the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman... Reuters/Steve Nesius + Orlando police lock down the emergency room entrance of Orlando Regional Medical Center, just blocks from the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shooting rampage in Orlando, Florida June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski Orlando police lock down the emergency room entrance of Orlando Regional Medical Center, just blocks from the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shoot... Reuters/Kevin Kolczynski + Friends and family members embrace outside the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman, in Orlando, Florida, U.S June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Steve Nesius Friends and family members embrace outside the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman... Reuters/Steve Nesius + › "I've never seen anyone come in or out," said Aryne Rackley, who has lived three doors away for the past three years. "Nobody is ever in the backyard." U.S. Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on a congressional intelligence committee, said there were indications of "an ISIS-inspired act of terrorism," referring to Islamic State. Likely Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who has called for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States, said he was "right on radical Islamic terrorism." He called in a tweet on Sunday for "toughness and vigilance." Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted a brief statement after the attacks, but did not speculate on the motives of the gunman. Florida Governor Rick Scott called for Americans to hold a moment of silence at 6 p.m. ET (2200 GMT) to commemorate the dead. World leaders including Pope Francis, Britain's Queen Elizabeth and the leaders of Canada and Afghanistan condemned the attack. Mateen was born in New York of parents who were immigrants from Afghanistan, according to a federal official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Related Coverage Obama calls Orlando nightclub shooting an attack on all Americans Gunman in Florida shooting referenced Boston Marathon bombers: official Pope Francis expresses horror and condemnation over Orlando shooting Suspected Orlando shooter called 911, swore allegiance to Islamic State: NBC Suspected Orlando shooter was known to FBI: FOX News Senate Democrat seeks military-style weapons ban after shooting Trump quickly ties Florida shootings to Islamists Senator Rubio cites homegrown radicals as major U.S. threat SlideshowFriends and family members embrace outside the Orlando Police Headquarters during the investigation of a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman, in Orlando VideoAt least 50 dead in Orlando 'act of terrorism' VideoWitness: gunshots, screams and blood at Florida nightclub shooting VideoMuslim leader: "Heartbroken" over Florida shooting rampage VideoFriend of Florida victims says gay community will heal If confirmed as an act of terrorism, it would be the deadliest such attack on U.S. soil since Sept. 11, 2001, when al Qaeda-trained hijackers crashed jetliners into New York's World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania, killing some 3,000 people. Mateen also referenced the ethnic Chechen brothers who killed three people in a bombing attack at the Boston Marathon in 2013, according to law enforcement officials. The Orlando attacker was carrying an AR-15 style assault rifle and a handgun, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said. He also had an unidentified "device", said Orlando Police Chief John Mina. The choice of target was especially heart-wrenching for members of the U.S. lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, said LGBT advocacy group Equality Florida. "Gay clubs hold a significant place in LGBTQ history. They were often the only safe gathering place and this horrific act strikes directly at our sense of safety," the group said in a statement. "We will await the details in tears of sadness and anger." Orlando has a population of more than 270,000 and is the home of the Disney World amusement park and many other tourist attractions that drew 62 million visitors in 2014. Also on Sunday, a man was arrested in California with assault weapons and possible explosives and told authorities he was in the Los Angeles area for the gay pride festival, the Los Angeles Times reported. (Additional reporting by Letitia Stein in Tampa, Zachary Fagenson in Port Saint Luice, Fla., Colleen Jenkins in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Mark Hosenball in Washington and Chris Michaud in New York; Writing by Scott Malone and Daniel Wallis; Editing by Mary Milliken and Alistair Bell) =================================== Orlando nightclub shooter ID'd as US citizen Omar Mateen from Florida - report Published time: 12 Jun, 2016 13:20 Edited time: 12 Jun, 2016 13:54 Get short URL Police lock down Orange Avenue around Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shooting rampage in Orlando, Florida June 12, 2016. © Kevin Kolczynski Police lock down Orange Avenue around Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shooting rampage in Orlando, Florida June 12, 2016. © Kevin Kolczynski / Reuters The suspect behind the gay nightclub shooting in Orlando, which left dozens dead and injured, has been identified as Omar Mateen, the CBS network reported, citing sources. The channel added that the FBI is currently checking if he was linked to extremists. READ MORE: Mass shooting at Orlando gay nightclub LIVE UPDATES A correspondent from the WFTV channel said Mateen was 27 years old and was from Port St. Lucie in Florida, nearly 150km from Orlando. According to reports on social media, he was born to Afghan parents. The suspect was killed by a SWAT team, police earlier confirmed in a press conference. He was armed with an assault rifle and a handgun, officials said. An FBI official who was also present at the conference said: “At this time we're looking at all angles right now.” He was asked if the shooter might have possible connections with extremists. “We do have suggestions that that individual may have leanings towards that particular ideology [extremism]. But right now we can’t say definitively so we’re still running everything around,” he added. Orlando Chief of Police John Mina said that “approximately” 20 people were killed and at least 42 people have been taken to a local hospital. He added that the shooter was wearing some “type of device.” Earlier reports suggested the gunman was wearing a bomb. =================== Sun Jun 12, 2016 | 8:57 AM EDT Gunman kills 20, injures 42 in shooting rampage at Florida gay club 2h ago | 00:42 Orlando nightdclub shooter 'dead' Gunman kills 20, injures 42 in shooting rampage at...X By Barbara Liston ORLANDO, Fla. (Reuters) - A gunman killed at least 20 people and injured 42 others in a crowded gay nightclub in Florida early on Sunday before police shot him dead in what U.S. authorities described as a "terrorism incident." A police officer working as a security guard inside the Pulse club exchanged fire with the suspect at about 2 a.m., police officials said. A hostage situation quickly developed, and three hours later a squad of officers entered the club and shot dead the gunman. It was unclear when the gunman shot the victims. "Do we consider this an act of terrorism? Absolutely, we are investigating this from all parties’ perspective as an act of terrorism," said Danny Banks, special agent in charge of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Danny Banks. "Whether that is domestic terrorist activity or an international one, that is something we will certainly get to the bottom of." When asked if the FBI suspected that the gunman may have an extremist leanings, including a possible sympathy with Islamic State, Ronald Hopper, an assistant FBI agent in charge, said: "We do have suggestions that the individual may have leanings toward that particular ideology. But right now we can’t say definitively." ADVERTISEMENT At least one officer was injured in the gunbattle but the decision to storm the club saved at least 30 lives, Orlando Police Chief John Mina told a press conference. The suspect was carrying an assault-type rifle and a handgun as well as an unidentified "device" on him, Mina said. Javer Antonetti, 53, told the Orlando Sentinel newspaper that he was near the back of the dance club when he heard gunfire. "There were so many (shots), at least 40," he said. "I saw two guys and it was constant, like 'pow, pow, pow,'." ‹ Police cars and fire trucks are seen outside the Pulse night club where police said a suspected gunman left multiple people dead and injured in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016. Orlando Police Department/Handout via REUTERS Police cars and fire trucks are seen outside the Pulse night club where police said a suspected gunman left multiple people dead and injured in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 201... Reuters + Police lock down Orange Avenue around Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shooting rampage in Orlando, Florida June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski Police lock down Orange Avenue around Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shooting rampage in Orlando, Florida June 12, 2016. Reuters/Kevin Kolczynski 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. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski 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. Reuters/Kevin Kolczynski Police lock down Orange Avenue around Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shooting rampage in Orlando, Florida June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski Police lock down Orange Avenue around Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shooting rampage in Orlando, Florida June 12, 2016. Reuters/Kevin Kolczynski Orlando police lock down the emergency room entrance of Orlando Regional Medical Center, just blocks from the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shooting rampage in Orlando, Florida June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski Orlando police lock down the emergency room entrance of Orlando Regional Medical Center, just blocks from the Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shoot... Reuters/Kevin Kolczynski + Police lock down Orange Avenue around Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shooting rampage in Orlando, Florida June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski Police lock down Orange Avenue around Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shooting rampage in Orlando, Florida June 12, 2016. Reuters/Kevin Kolczynski Police cars and fire trucks are seen outside the Pulse night club where police said a suspected gunman left multiple people dead and injured in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016. Orlando Police Department/Handout via REUTERS Police cars and fire trucks are seen outside the Pulse night club where police said a suspected gunman left multiple people dead and injured in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 201... Reuters + Police lock down Orange Avenue around Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shooting rampage in Orlando, Florida June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski Police lock down Orange Avenue around Pulse nightclub, where people were killed by a gunman in a shooting rampage in Orlando, Florida June 12, 2016. Reuters/Kevin Kolczynski › Video footage showed police officers and civilians carrying injured people away from the club and bending over others who were lying on the ground. Dozens of police cruisers, ambulances and other emergency vehicles could be seen in the area. "It was one after another after another after another," Christopher Hansen told CNN, describing the gunfire inside the club. "It could have lasted a whole song." Police said they had carried out a "controlled explosion" at the club hours after the shooting broke out, but did not explain why that was done. Orlando Regional Medical Center was placed on lockdown, with only essential workers and relatives of victims allowed access, it said in a Twitter message. The hospital could not be reached immediately for comment. It was the second deadly shooting at an Orlando night spot in as many nights. Late Friday a man thought to be a deranged fan fatally shot Christina Grimmie, a rising singing star and a former contestant on "The Voice", while she was signing autographs after a concert in the Florida city. (Reporting by Chris Michaud in New York and Mary Milliken in Los Angeles; writing by Frank McGurty; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Clelia Oziel) ================================= Orlando Fire Department called for bomb squad, hazardous material team to scene of nightclub shooting after 3 am ET, Orlando Sentinel reports https://m.facebook.com/RealEstateSA5000/ Mass shooting in Orlando night club, reports of hostage situation, gunman possibly 'wearing a bomb' Published time: 12 Jun, 2016 07:02 Edited time: 12 Jun, 2016 08:06 Get short URL © Brett Moots © Brett Moots / Facebook A mass shooting has been reported in a the night club in Orlando, Florida, where an unidentified gunman barricaded himself and hostages inside the club and allegedly shot at least 20 people, reports on social media claim. The incident took place at Pulse night club. Twitter users said they heard multiple gunshots in the area. According to a reporter from the Orlando News, the shooter is wearing a bomb. Pulse night club wrote on Facebook: "everyone get out of Pulse and keep running." People took to Facebook to share information on the shooting. Under the Pulse club post they wrote that the attacker has an assault rifle and is barricaded inside with hostages. Others said that at least 30 people had been shot in the club.