(CNN) — Here’s what we know about the Orlando, Florida, terror attack as of 3 a.m. ET Monday
Casualties
Death toll: 50
Hospitalized: 53
This is the worst terror attack in the United States since 9/11 and the worst mass shooting in the history of the United States.
Victims
Dead identified:
— Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34
— Stanley Almodovar III, 23
— Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20
— Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22
— Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36
— Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22
— Luis S. Vielma, 22
— Kimberly Morris, 37
— Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30
— Darryl Roman Burt II, 29
— Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32
— Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21
— Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25
— Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35
— Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50
— Amanda Alvear, 25
— Martin Benitez Torres, 33
— Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37
— Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26
— Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35
— Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25
— Enrique Rios, 25
The target
Patrons of the Pulse nightclub, which on its website describes itself as “the hottest gay bar in Orlando,” were targeted. June is Pride Month. Between 300 and 350 people were at the club.
The attack occurred in two areas of the nightclub.
Barbara Poma, owner of Pulse, released the following statement: “Like everyone in the country, I am devastated about the horrific events that have taken place today. Pulse, and the men and women who work there, have been my family for nearly 15 years. From the beginning, Pulse has served as a place of love and acceptance for the LGBTQ community. I want to express my profound sadness and condolences to all who have lost loved ones. Please know that my grief and heart are with you.”
The shooter
Identified as Omar Mir Seddique Mateen, 29, of Fort Pierce, Florida.
U.S. citizen, born Nov. 16, 1986 in New York. Parents are originally from Afghanistan.
Shot dead by Orlando police in an operation to free hostages the shooter had taken.
The family of the shooter told investigators Mateen wasn’t particularly religious from what they observed. They expressed surprise about any connection to ISIS, according to two law enforcement officials.
Mateen did express outrage to his father after seeing two men kissing in Miami, investigators say. Mateen’s ex-wife told investigators he had issues with anger.
Investigation
The shooter purchased a handgun and a long gun within the last few days, ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Trevor Velinor told reporters. “He is not a prohibited person. They can legally walk into a gun dealership and acquire and purchase firearms. He did so. And he did so within the last week or so,” Velinor said.
Investigators recovered a .38-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver from the shooter’s vehicle, according to a law enforcement official.
Investigators inside the nightclub today described a jarring scene as they walked among the dead bodies, they could hear victims’ cell phones still ringing as moms and family members called for their loved ones.
Mateen was interviewed by the FBI in 2013 and 2014, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ronald Hopper told reporters. “Those interviews turned out to be inconclusive, so there was nothing to keep the investigation going,” Hopper said.
Mateen was not under investigation at the time of the shooting and was not under surveillance, Hopper said.
According to a neighbor who saw him regularly, Mateen worked as a security guard at the Port St. Lucie courthouse. The neighbor said Mateen often worked security in the front of the building, manning the metal detectors.
Authorities are looking into possible self-radicalization.
Reaction
“This is clearly an act of terrorism,” Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Sunday as he spoke to reporters about the shooting. “It’s sickening,” he said. “It should make every American angry.”
President Barack Obama addressed the nation, calling the Orlando attack an “act of terror and an act of hate.” He ordered flags to be flown at half-staff. This is the 15th time Obama has made an address in response to a mass shooting.
Obama’s first campaign appearance with presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has been postponed because of the Orlando shootings, the campaign announced.
There has been no claim of responsibility for the Orlando nightclub terror attack on jihadi forums, but ISIS sympathizers reacted by praising the attack on pro-Islamic State forums, according to CNN Terrorism Analyst Paul Cruickshank.
