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Police: 20 Dead, 42 Wounded in Shooting at Gay Club


Orlando Police Chief John Mina and other city officials answer the media's questions about the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016.
Orlando Police Chief John Mina and other city officials answer the media's questions about the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016.

Police in the southeastern U.S. city of Orlando, Florida say approximately 20 people were killed and 42 were injured in a shooting at a gay nightclub — an incident authorities say is being investigated as an act of terrorism.

Gunfire erupted at Pulse, a gay nightclub, early Sunday. The gunman, whom police said was equipped with a rifle and a handgun, was killed inside the club in a shootout with police.

Police Chief John Mina said the suspect exchanged gunfire with a police officer working at the club, and then went back inside the club and took hostages. Mina said nine police officers were involved in shooting the gunman.

Orlando Police officers direct family members away from a multiple shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Fla., June 12, 2016.
Orlando Police officers direct family members away from a multiple shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Fla., June 12, 2016.

FBI officials said the shooter may have had radical Islamic leanings and the shooting is being investigated as an "act of terrorism."

The police department asked on its Twitter page: "Anyone who was at Pulse nightclub and was a witness, please come to the Orlando Police HQ."

One person who had been in the club said he heard as many as 40 shots.

A 2 a.m. post on Pulse's Facebook account said "Everyone get out of pulse and keep running."

Cell phone video on CNN showed police firing into the club.

Later, CNN had footage of people carrying a wounded person from the club and placing him into a police pickup truck instead of one of the numerous ambulances surrounding the club.

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