TheCable

Islamic State’s Amaq News Agency on Sunday said the Islamist militant group was responsible for the shooting that killed at least 50 people in a massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

The Islamic State media outlet said the perpetrator of the Orlando nightclub attack was a member of the extremist organisation.

“The armed attack that targeted a gay night club in the city of Orlando in the American state of Florida which left over 100 people dead or injured was carried out by an Islamic State fighter,” Amaq said.

President Barack Obama has condemned the act, describing it as an act of hate.

Obama also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff as an act of mourning.

“Although it’s still early in the investigation, we know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate,” he said.

The shooter was identified as Omar S. Mateen, a Florida resident.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said the attack was the deadliest single US shooting incident, eclipsing the 32 people killed in the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech university.