Approximately 20' people killed in Orlando nightclub shooting, and more than 40 wounded

US: A shooting spree at an Orlando nightclub in Florida early Sunday morning has left "about 20" people dead, and 42 others injured, including the gunman wielding an assault-type rifle, who died in a gunfire with SWAT officers. Authorities said the incident is been investigated as an act of terrorism.

 Police Chief, Mina said officers were called to Pulse Orlando, a popular gay nightclub, at around 2 a.m. after reports of a shooting.
He said officers confronted a suspect in a gun battle outside the club before the suspect ran back into the building where more shots were fired.
According to him, the gunman then took several hostages and a SWAT team was called in.
Police had earlier received reports from clients trapped in the club, and decided to invade the club at about 5 a.m. He said the shooter had some sort of "suspicious device."

 "Our biggest concern was further loss of life," Mina said. "We exchanged gunfire with the suspect, and he was dead at the scene."

Mina said 42 people were rushed to local hospitals, and one officer was wounded. He put the death toll at 20, and said at least 30 people were rescued.

"Tonight our community witnessed a horrific crime... that will have a lasting effect on our community," a solemn Mayor Buddy Dyer said.

FBI Special Agent Ronald Hopper said the case was being investigated as a possible act of terrorism, either domestic or international.

"We do have suggestions that the individual may have leanings toward that particular ideology," Hopper said.

Mina also said;

"We can confirm this is a mass casualty situation. Support from local/state/federal agencies," Orlando police tweeted about four hours after events began to unfold. Then, a short time later: "Pulse Shooting: The shooter inside the club is dead."

Mina said there was no indication that there was more than one shooter. A bomb squad was at the scene, and police reported conducting a "controlled explosion."

"Anyone who was at Pulse nightclub and was a witness Please come to the Orlando Police HQ," the department tweeted. "Any information you have could aid investigators in this case."

Club patron Christopher Hansen said he heard what could have been 20 or 30 shots, setting off a panic as people scrambled for cover or raced for the exits.
"It's just shocking," Hansen said."It was just one (gunshot) after another."