Update: Gunman dead in Orlando gay nightclub shooting

Update: Orlando Police have confirmed that the Pulse shooter is dead inside the club.

It is unclear if he took his own life or if he was killed by police.

Earlier, the police reported that law enforcement had conduced “a controlled explosion” but the purpose of the blast is not known.

Police also tweeted: “We can confirm this is a mass casualty situation. Support from local/state/federal agencies. We expect to brief media shortly.”

The number of casualties and extent of injuries have yet to be confirmed.

Original story: Multiple injuries and hostage-taking have been reported in a gunman’s attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

In what appears to be an ongoing situation, the shooter attacked the Pulse nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning, injuring up to 30 people.

The Orlando Police wrote on Facebook: “Shooting at Pulse Nightclub on S Orange. Multiple injuries. Stay away from area.”

In a chilling Facebook post, the club itself warned: “Everyone get out of Pulse and keep running.”

Further reports claimed that the attacker is wearing a bomb and has barricaded himself in the venue with hostages.

One man, Tonyz Nation, posted; “Shots fired Pulse Orlando made it out just barely as we started to hear fire being shot !! People are screaming that people are dead !! Crazy wtf”.

Lilbia Carmen wrote: “Nothing yet. My daughter is in there. Please keep praying for them… She’s waiting for cops to be able to come out. I was on the fone and all i hear is shot guns.”

Shockingly, a Jared Smith (‏@Jared17Smith) used the shooting as an opportunity to make a hate-filled attempt at a “joke”, tweeting: “I wonder how much of the splattered blood in #Pulse is HIV+ :^)”

The attack comes as the US is marking Pride Month. The story is unfolding.

Shooting at Pulse Nightclub on S Orange. Multiple injuries. Stay away from area. pic.twitter.com/5Di2mc6XUY

— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 12, 2016

 

FOUR OF US STILL HIDING. LIGHTS ARE OFF IN CLUB. COPS ARE HERE BUT HAVNT GOT US YET

— E (@GoEmili0) June 12, 2016

PLESSE TELL THE COPS WERE WT PULSE ORLANDO HIDING IN THE DRESSING ROOM THERE WAS A SHOOTING

— E (@GoEmili0) June 12, 2016

 

Crisis negotiation unit showing up at the #pulse nightclub hostage situation in #Orlando pic.twitter.com/MKjMtdPQpS

— Nic Hornstein (@nichornstein) June 12, 2016

WARNING: Graphic. video of victims outside pulse in orlando right now. terrifying. #PulseOrlando #PulseShooting pic.twitter.com/8hBaXB2ueT

— ELIAS (@wtfelias) June 12, 2016