Many people awoke Sunday morning to news that a shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. had left 50 people dead and another 53 wounded. According to previous statistics from CNN, the incident at Pulse nightclub is the deadliest mass shooting in American history, eclipsing both the shootings at Virginia Tech in 2007 that left 32 people dead the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 27 teachers and children dead.
In light of this tragedy, people from all over the world have taken to social media to express their condolences, support for the victims and their families, and anger at what they say is a broken system that perpetuates a culture of violence in the United States.
Among those who offered condolences, presidential candidates and local government officials made official statements on their social media and Twitter accounts.
Desperté con la devastadora noticia de FL. Mientras esperamos más información,mis pensamientos están con los afectados de este horrible acto
— 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
We pray for those brutally attacked in Orlando. While we must learn more about the attacker, the victims & families will not be forgotten.
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) June 12, 2016
Our community experienced a horrific crime today. Our hearts & prayers are with the victims and their families.
— Mayor Buddy Dyer (@orlandomayor) June 12, 2016
Saddened to hear of the senseless mass shooting in Orlando. My thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their loved ones.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) 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
This is an attack on our people. It's an attack on Orlando. It's an attack on FL. It's an attack on America. It's an attack on all of us.
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) June 12, 2016
Our prayers are with those injured and killed early this morning in horrifying act of terror in Orlando.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 12, 2016
Across the world, leaders from a number of countries weighed in to express their grief.
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Je condamne avec horreur la tuerie qui a fait au moins 50 morts en Floride. J'exprime le plein soutien de la France au peuple américain.
— François Hollande (@fhollande) June 12, 2016
"I condemn with horror the slaughter that killed at least 50 deaths in Florida. I express the full support of France to the American people."
My deepest condolences to victims and their families of the tragic mass shooting in #Orlando @JohnKerry
— Børge Brende (@borgebrende) June 12, 2016
No words can convey my horror and sadness. Just want to express heartfelt sympathy for all those affected. #Orlando https://t.co/eS3BSbxkjQ
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 12, 2016
As did many athletes.
50 dead and 53 more injured?!
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) June 12, 2016
Thoughts are with all of the victims and their families.
This is madness. #Orlando
My thoughts & prayers are with the victims, and their families of this horrific act of terrorism in Orlando #PrayersForOrlando
— grant hill (@realgranthill33) June 12, 2016
Prayers up for Orlando. Man that's crazy
— Mario Chalmers (@mchalmers15) June 12, 2016
Heartbroken for Orlando. My prayers are with the families of the victims of this tragedy.
— Antonio Brown (@AntonioBrown84) June 12, 2016
Thoughts and prayers go out to all the families and loved ones in Orlando. Devastating
— David Price (@DAVIDprice24) June 12, 2016
What...keeping Orlando in my prayers!! Foreal though this is sick smh
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) June 12, 2016
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends affected by this morning's tragedy in Orlando. pic.twitter.com/BGnyscrzI6
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) June 12, 2016
Praying for the victims, their families & friends affected by the mass shooting in Orlando last night. Hate is a sickness 2 rarely treated.💛
— Johnny Weir (@JohnnyGWeir) June 12, 2016
Upon learning of the news, scores of entertainers and celebrities also offered condolences to the victims and their families.
A photo posted by Khloé (@khloekardashian) on Jun 12, 2016 at 7:43am PDT
I'm truly at a loss for words. To everyone in Orlando affected by this massacre, my thoughts, love, & prayers are with u ❤️💛💚💙💜
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 12, 2016
Deeply moved that in the face of tragedy Orlando & Americans everywhere are coming together to give blood, love & support.This is who we are
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) June 12, 2016
Sobbing.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) June 12, 2016
🙏🏾'ers for Orlando.
— Mike Will Made-It (@MikeWiLLMadeIt) June 12, 2016
We shouldn't have to #PrayForOrlando - WE SHOULD HAVE #GunControlNow
— Nev Schulman (@NevSchulman) June 12, 2016
heartbreaking. #PrayForOrlando
— KELENDRIA ROWLAND (@KELLYROWLAND) June 12, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are w my brothers and sisters who were at Orlando's Pulse Nightclub. RIP to those who lost their lives.
— ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) June 12, 2016
Heartbroken about the shooting in Orlando. My prayers and thoughts are with you all in America. I pray for this world to change!
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) June 12, 2016
I got to pray
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) June 12, 2016
Plane just landed. Turned phone on. I wasn't ready to see that headline. What will it take just to have a conversation about #GunControl?
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) June 12, 2016
Love is the only answer. #prayfororlando
— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) June 12, 2016
Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected. The Tony Awards dedicate tonight's ceremony to them. (2/2)
— The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) June 12, 2016
so. much. violence. it hurts my heart. sending as much Light and love as I possibly can to anyone and everyone I can possibly reach.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) June 12, 2016
Horrified by the mass shooting in Orlando. When will we do something to prevent these killing sprees?
— John Legend (@johnlegend) June 12, 2016
NO WORDS GOOD ENOUGH😫‼️WHEN UR HURT, WOUNDED, MURDERED WE ALL CRY‼️WE ALL MOURN ‼️WE R ALL LESS WITHOUT U MY EXTENDED FAMILY😥😭‼️#URNOTALONE
— Cher (@cher) June 12, 2016
Lebron James begins press conference by extending condolences to victims and survivors in #Orlando. pic.twitter.com/VJaTqVTPiM
— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) June 12, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this tragedy.