The worst mass shooting in U.S. history occurred early Sunday morning at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, CNN reports. Police are reporting that 50 were killed and at least 53 were injured in Pulse nightclub when gunman Omar Mateen opened fire on the establishment. Orlando police eventually shot and killed Mateen but not before he caused major devastation.
According to Orlando Police Chief John Mina, the shooter “was organized and well-prepared.” He was said to have “an assault-type weapon, a handgun and some (other) type of device on him” at the time of the attack.
CNN reports Mateen called 911, pledging his allegiance to ISIS. But officials have a long investigation in front of them, given the amount of casualities and injured victims along with the severity of the violence involved.
Before this attack, Virginia Tech and Sandy Hook were the deadliest shootings in U.S. history, with 32 and 27 people killed respectively. Sunday’s events make this the worst terror attack in U.S. history since 9/11.
The mass shooting happened just days after the murder of singer and former Voice contestant Christina Grimmie, which also took place in Orlando, though it is being reported that the two incidents are not connected.