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All I can tell you was the club was packed, there were over 100 people there, if the gunman came in through the front door people were injured or worse.” I had someone over me, I really didn’t see. Richard Negroni said: “We just heard shots, it was less than a minute, it felt longer. One witness told Sky News there had been more than 100 people inside the venue for the club’s Latin night when the gunman entered the building and began firing into the ceiling and into the crowd. We need to stand strong and we need to be supportive of the victims are their families." And tonight we had a crime that will have a lasting effect on our community. Orland mayor, Buddy Dyer, said in a statement: "We are strong, resiliant community. We will need to help each other's get through this. Police say the suspect was carrying an assault-type rifle and a handgun as well as an unidentified "device" on him. Witnesses in the club posted messages on social media as the stand-off took place, while one reportedly texted his mother to say: "He's rounded us up and he is going to kill us."Ī message posted on Pulse's Facebook page read: "Everyone get out of pulse and keep running" At least one officer was injured in the gun fight but the police action saved at least 30 lives, Mr Mina said. There were approximately 320 people in the club when the shooting began. Our officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect. 0500 hours this morning, the decision was made to rescue hostages that were in there. Orlando Police Chief John Mina told a press conference: "At. It was unclear when the victims were shot by the gunman. It already ranks as one of the deadliest shootings in American history, with a larger death toll than the attacks in San Bernardino, California last December.