Florida, Washington, And Hollywood Respond to Orlando Mass Shooting

Presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were among those expressing shock and grief at the loss of a reported lives during a mass shooting at a Florida nightclub late last night.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told police that 50 were dead and 53 more injured after a gunman with a handgun and an automatic rifle entered Pulse, a nightclub that caters to the LGBT community.

Local officials describe the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism, with unconfirmed speculation that the shooter had a religious agenda. The gunman, identified as Omar Mateen, reportedly took hostages at the nightclub after the initial shooting spree, and was killed in a gunfight with the Orlando SWAT team when they decided to move in to rescue the hostages and get medical care for injured victims.

"We do have suggestions that that individual may have leanings towards that, that particular ideology," said FBI assistant agent in charge of the agency's Tampa division, Ron Hopper, when asked about the possibility that Mateen was an Islamic extremist. "But right now we can't say definitively, so we're still running everything around."

The SWAT team moved in around 5 a.m., three hours after the first officer responded at 2:02 a.m.

Woke up to hear the devastating news from FL. As we wait for more information, my thoughts are with those affected by this horrific act. -H

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 12, 2016

Really bad shooting in Orlando. Police investigating possible terrorism. Many people dead and wounded.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2016

What...keeping Orlando in my prayers!! Foreal though this is sick smh

— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) June 12, 2016

My prayers are with the victims’ families & all those affected by the shooting in Orlando. We will devote every resource available to assist

— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) June 12, 2016

In NYC but I'm so sad to read of the #nightclub shooting in Orlando. Enough! My heart goes out to the victims and their families & friends.

— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) June 12, 2016

Thinking about those in Orlando. What a disgusting, outrageous tragedy

— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) June 12, 2016

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families in Orlando, a city that's always treated me like I was home #PrayForOrlando

— Buddy Valastro (@CakeBossBuddy) June 12, 2016

Waking up in Tucson & learning about the horrific gun tragedy in Orlando. Praying for strength for the #Orlando community.

— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) June 12, 2016

Statement from @VP Biden's Spokesperson on worst mass shooting in U.S. history: https://t.co/V3XJfFq7Nx #Orlando pic.twitter.com/k1Xy7X7UhM

— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) June 12, 2016

So heartbroken for our city. Thank you @OrlandoPolice and @orlandohealth for your tireless work. #staystrongOrlando #PrayforOrlando

— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) June 12, 2016

The attack is being described as the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, and one that likely breaks with a trend, as most recent mass shootings have not had an explicitly political bent.

The shooting is already starting to look like it may shape the upcoming election: Republican Donald Trump has crafted much of his image around being tough on Islamic extremism, while Democrat Hillary Clinton has made gun control a key issue in the wake of a number of high-profile mass shootings.

It isn't yet clear whether Mateen -- who was reportedly "on the radar" to federal officials but not the subject of an investigation -- acquired his guns legally or not. He was an US-born American citizen whose parents had immigrated from Afghanistan.