ISIS claimed responsibility Sunday for the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, carried out by a lone gunman who shot up a popular gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida in the early hours of Saturday. The gunman, Omar Mateen, 29, professed admiration for ISIS and the Boston Marathon bombers in a call to 911. Police called the attack “well organized,” and ISIS referred to Mateen as an “ISIS fighter.” But authorities said there’s no evidence ISIS planned or directed the attack; it appears to merely be reaching for free publicity.
Mateen killed 49 club patrons and wounded 53 more with an AR-15 and a handgun. The shooting started at about 2:00 am, and he was finally killed by SWAT police after a 3-hour standoff involving hostages. The club was hosting a “Latin night,” and it now appears many of the victims were Puerto Ricans. As of Monday morning, authorities are beginning to release names of casualties, and said there have been no further deaths among the wounded.
Mateen was born in New York City to an Afghan family, and was a licensed security guard in Fort Pierce, Florida. His ex-wife says he was abusive during their brief marriage. This is a developing story, and has been revised from its original version as new information gets reported by media sources.
Photos: Alleged shooter Omar Mateen (above); bloody victims outside Orlando’s Pulse nightclub (right)