A gunman who appears to be identified with the Islamic State opened fire in an Orlando, Florida gay nightclub, murdering over 50 people and leaving at least as many wounded in what is labeled the worst terror attack in the United States since 9/11. The attack took place during the early morning hours on Sunday, Orlando time.

The gunman was Omar Mateen of Ft. Pierce, Florida law enforcement officials are reporting. In his first public statement following the attack, President Barak Obama called the attack an act of terror and it would be addressed accordingly.

Some of the additional information released since the attack from various sources includes;
• The gunman was originally from New York.
• The gunman was shot and killed by police.
• Orlando Police Chief John Mina reported the gunman used an assault rifle.
• Moments before carrying out the attack, the gunman called 911 and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State as well as referencing the Tsarnaev brothers, who carried out the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013.
• His ex-wife says he was unstable and that he was not religious, telling authorities he was not an observant Muslim. She added he had “violent tendencies.

• The gunman was interviewed by the FBI two times and those sessions were deemed inconclusive.
• The gunman was a security guard and had a nationwide gun permit, including a carry permit.
• He may have trained in Syria and returned to the USA but this is yet unconfirmed.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem – Published on Isru Chag Shavuos Eretz Yisrael)