How the Orlando Nightclub Shooting Unfolded
Breaking down the deadly shooting.
— -- The massacre inside an Orlando nightclub is still being investigated and law enforcement officials are working to understand what led to at least 50 people being shot dead and another 53 injured.
The shooting happened in Pulse Orlando, a gay club that was hosting a Latin-themed night.
Here is the latest information from officials and witnesses about how the deadly night unfolded.
2:02 a.m. Sunday, June 12
Police reported that the suspect, who has since been identified as Omar Mateen, exchanged gunfire with a uniformed police officer outside of the nightclub.
From there, Mateen entered the club and opened fire.
Witnesses recalled hearing multiple rounds of shots, and there was some immediate confusion because some did not see the gunfire and just thought the noise was coming from the music.
Officials said that there were about 320 people inside the club when the shooting started.
The attack turned into a hostage situation.
5:00 a.m.
About three hours after the shooting first started, a SWAT team went inside to rescue hostages.
Police chief John Mina confirmed that 11 Orlando police officers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, during which the shooter was killed.
All 11 officers have been relieved from duty as is standard state procedure following an officer-involved shooting.
Shortly after the SWAT team entered, police instigated a controlled explosion but few details about the device involved have been released. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is reviewing the shooting as part of the operating procedure.
Law enforcement said later that SWAT rescued 30 people from the club in the raid.
9:40 a.m.
The shooter is identified as Omar Mateen by multiple law enforcement officials.
Mateen was a 29-year-old U.S.-born citizen whose parents are from Afghanistan.
Mateen was from St. Lucie County, Florida, which is about 90 miles southeast of the club, officials said.
10:30 a.m.
Orlando police confirmed that the death toll had risen to 50 people dead and 53 others injured.
That number makes the shooting the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
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