The connection to Islamic State has not been confirmed, and Nelson said it remains a possibility that Mateen was a lone wolf, but that authorities will be investigating links to Islamic State. The Islamic State news agency has issued a statement saying they’re responsible for the attack, Florida Senator Bill Nelson said at a press conference. Around 50 people were killed and at least 53 wounded this morning (June 12) when a gunman opened fire in a popular gay nightclub in downtown Orlando. Mayor Buddy Dyer announced the casualties, higher than the 20 deaths originally reported, at a press conference this morning and said he’s asked Governor Rick Scott to declare a state of emergency. The death toll makes the shooting the worst in US history, police said. The Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 killed 32.
