Nightclub Shooting in Orlando Kills 50. 53 at hospital, of which 19 are now released

Omar Mir Seddique Mateen, 29 lived about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Orlando. Mateen was an American citizen born in New York to Afghan parents, and was a Muslim. He was a licensed security guard, attended the Haj in Mecca in 2012. His views became increasingly radicalized.

At 2:02 a.m. EDT June 12, shots were heard and an Orlando Police Department (OPD) officer stationed at Pulse nightclub engaged Mateen and returned fire. Pulse posted on its Facebook page at 2:09 a.m. EDT, "Everyone get out of pulse and keep running."

Mateen was armed with an assault rifle, a handgun, and a "device" that officials believed mistakenly was another threat. After additional officers engaged the suspect, the gunman retreated into the nightclub and began to take patrons hostage.

Dozens of first responders-including OPD officers, Orange County sheriff's deputies, and FBI agents, as well as paramedics and firefighters from three fire departments-reported to the scene. A crisis negotiator was present, as the gunman was holed up inside and holding hostages. The shooter claimed to have an explosive device. Police said that a bomb squad had set off a controlled explosion.

Around 5:00 a.m. EDT, SWAT officers entered the nightclub and opened fire. Thirty hostages were freed, and one officer received a non-lethal shot to his head and was hospitalized with eye injuries. It is unknown when the gunman killed the victims.

Many people lined up to donate blood at local blood donation centers and bloodmobile locations after One Blood urged people to donate. There was a minor controversy because sexually active gay men are not ordinarily permitted to donate blood. The GLBT Community Center of Central Florida provided grief counseling for survivors.

At least 49 civilians and the gunman were killed. 52 civilians and a police officer were injured in the shooting; many of them were in critical condition and underwent surgery in local hospitals. The nightclub is three blocks from Orlando Regional Medical Center, the primary regional trauma center, and many victims were taken there; two other area hospitals also treated victims. Coincidentally, Christina Grimmie, who was shot by Kevin Loibl the night before, was taken to ORMC as well, fatally wounded.

There were not enough ambulances, so some of the dead and wounded were transported in pickup trucks

His ex wife says Mateen was normal at first, but became emotionally unstable and began to beat her after a few months of marriage. So she left him several years ago. She said he suffered from bipolar disorder.