Early Sunday morning a gunman, who has been identified by local authorities as Omar Mateen, opened fire in a popular gay night club, Pulse, in Orlando, killing 50 people and injuring 53 others. Orlando police shot and killed Sateen, who is responsible for the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. President Obama has delivered a statement following the shooting at Pulse night club, which marks at least the 20th time Obama has made a statement following a shooting incident, according to CBS News's Mark Knoller.
"The FBI is appropriately investigating this as an act of terrorism," Obama said. "As a country, we will be there for the people of Orlando today, tomorrow, and all of the days to come."
"In the coming hours and day we'll learn about the victims of this tragedy. Their names their faces who they were, the joy that they brought to families and to friends, the differences they made in this world. Say a prayer for them. Say a prayer for their families," Obama said. "May God continue to watch over this country."
"The place where they were attacked was more than a nightclub. It was a place of solidarity and empowerment," Obama said about Pulse night club in Orlando.
Obama made note of the ease with which weapons can be acquired, and also noted that shooting have regularly occurred in schools, places of worship, and other public spaces. “We have to decide if that’s the kind of country we want to be."
UPDATE (6/12/16 1:50 p.m.):
President Obama signed a proclamation Sunday ordering all flags to be flown at half-staff, the Associated Pressreports. They should remain that way until sunset on Thursday in honor of the victims lost in this tragedy.
