Authorities in Florida said at a news conference Sunday morning that as many as 20 people died in a shooting at an Orlando nightclub. The gunman was killed.
Orlando Police Chief John Mina said at least 42 people have been transported to area hospitals.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said officials are investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism, but it was unclear whether it was domestic or international terrorism, or if the shooter was a lone wolf.
Mina said officers were called to Pulse Orlando, a popular gay nightclub, at around 2 a.m. after reports of a shooting. He said officers were engaged in a gun battle outside the club before the suspect went back into the building where more shots were fired. He said the gunman then took several hostages.
About three hours later, Mina said officials made the decision to rescue the hostages in the club. He said SWAT officers exchanged fire with the gunman and killed him.
