Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, center right, and Orlando Police Chief John Mina, center left, arrive to a news conference after a fatal shooting at Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, June 12, 2016. (Photo: AP)
Reaction to the Florida mass shooting at the Pulse Orlando nightclub Sunday when police say a gunman wielding an assault-type rifle opened fire before dying in a gunfight with SWAT officers; at least 50 people were killed and dozens of others wounded.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said the attack was the deadliest single US shooting incident, eclipsing the 32 people killed in the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech university, Reuters reported.
The father of the man named as the shooter in a massacre at a gay Florida nightclub says he's in shock and that he wasn't aware of anything his son might have been planning.
Mir Seddique is the father of Omar Mateen of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Seddique told NBC News that his son got angry when he saw two men kissing in Miami a couple of months ago and thinks that may be related to the shooting.
Seddique says: "We are saying we are apologizing for the whole incident. ... We are in shock like the whole country."
The father also says the incident has nothing to do with religion.
The shooter, who was identified as Omar S. Mateen, was among the 50 killed, and that they're investigating whether the incident was an act of terrorism, officials said.
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President Barack Obama says the nightclub shooting in Orlando was an "act of terror" and an "act of hate."
He said Sunday that the FBI is investigating it as an act of terrorism and that no effort will be spared to determine whether the shooter was affiliated with terrorist groups.
Obama has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House and federal buildings until sunset Thursday "as a mark of respect for victims of the act of hatred and terror" at a gay Florida nightclub.
He's also directing the same observance at embassies and other US government facilities abroad.
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Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani said in a tweet that he "severely condemn the heinous & unforgivable crime in Orlando. It was a coward act of terror. Praying for all those affected by this tragedy."
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Egypt condemned Sunday's Florida nightclub shooting, according to a foreign ministry statement.
"The foreign ministry spokesperson assured that Egypt stands by the American people in these hard times, offering condolences to the victims' families and wishing for fast recovery for the injured," the statement read.
"It's horrific, it's unthinkable. And just hopes go out to all those who were shot that they can recover." Bernie Sanders, Democratic presidential candidate, speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press."Pulse Orlando said on its Facebook page, "Please keep everyone in your prayers as we work through this tragic event. Thank you for your thoughts and love."
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"I was thinking, 'Are you kidding me?' So I just dropped down. I just said, 'Please, please, please, I want to make it out.' And when I did, I saw people shot. I saw blood." Christopher Hansen, who was in the VIP lounge when he heard gunshots.
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"This is an incident, as I see it, that we certainly classify as domestic terror incident." Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings.
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"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families and all those affected by this horrific tragedy. We are a strong and resilient state and we will devote every resource available to assist with the shooting in Orlando." Gov. Rick Scott.
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"We are heartbroken and angry that senseless violence has once again destroyed lives in our state and in our country. 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." Equality Florida.
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"Woke up to hear the devastating news from FL. As we wait for more information, my thoughts are with those affected by this horrific act." Tweet from Hillary Clinton, Democratic presidential candidate.
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Donald Trump, Republicans presidential hopeful Tweet, "Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism, I don't want congrats, I want toughness & vigilance. We must be smart!"
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French President Francois Hollande "condemns with horror" the mass killing in Florida and "expresses the full support of France and the French with America's authorities and its people in this difficult time." Statement from Hollande's office.
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"We condemn this monstrous attack and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed or injured. The Muslim community joins our fellow Americans in repudiating anyone or any group that would claim to justify or excuse such an appalling act of violence." Rasha Mubarak, Orlando regional coordinator for Florida's chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
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The Vatican says Pope Francis is expressing the "deepest feelings of horror and condemnation" over the massacre. Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi says the pontiff denounces the "homicidal folly and senseless hatred." He added that Francis joins the families of victims and injured in "prayer and compassion."
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"Our heart is with our American brothers." Tweet from Italian Premier Matteo Renzi.
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"Aghast by the ever more dramatic news of the nightclub massacre." In a tweet from Italy's foreign minister, Paolo Gentiloni.
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UK Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs Philip Hammond said in a tweet that he is "shocked by shooting in Orlando", and that his "thoughts with the victims and families". He added that the UK foreign office is in contact with local authorities.
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