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A controlled explosion has taken place as at a “mass casualty” shooting at a leading gay nightclub in the US city of Orlando, Florida.
The city, best known for the Disney theme parks is home to gay venue, the Pulse Club. Some eyewitnesses said that the gunman claimed to have a bomb and that he has shot as many as 50 people.
Orlando Police say he was involved in a gunfight with a police officer working at the club in the street outside the building, before running back inside where he took hostages.
Chief John Mina said there was a three-hour stand-off before SWAT teams stormed the building and shot dead the gunman.
The FBI is investigating the attack and have said that the attacker may have “leanings” to Islamic extremism.
The attack in the Florida city unfolded just after 2am when the first shots were fired inside the bar, many clubbers mistaking it for music.
The club posted on it’s Facebook account: “Everyone get out of pulse and keep running.”
A witness confirmed to Sky News that there was around 100 people in the club when gunman had entered the club and fired shots into the ceiling and the crowd. He was unable to confirm if there was multiple gunmen.
. @orlandomayor Our community is strong. We will need to help each other's get through this. pic.twitter.com/XyUa8g5PT8
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 12, 2016
The New York Daily News has reported that one witness saw “at least two assailants open fire with what sounded like a semi-automatic firearm inside the nightclub and outside the south Orlando venue from a vehicle.”
It comes after star of The Voice, Christina Grimmie was shot dead by a deranged fan as she performed at the Plaze Live venue in the city on Friday.
Agencies/Canadajournal
