At least 40 people have been shot at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
Police, firefighters and paramedics were called to Pulse at around 2am local time after reports of multiple casualties.
It is believed a gunman started shooting outside the club before making his way inside and there was a hostage situation.
The gunman is now dead.
A bomb unit was sent to the location and there has been a controlled explosion.
Three hours after the incident started officers were ordered to find cover after more shots were fired at the scene. One officer is reported to have been injured.
The club was full at the time of the shooting and some people tweeted from inside begging for help.
Victims had to be rushed to hospitals in pickup trucks and police vehicles as paramedics became thinly stretched.
The club posted on Facebook telling people to get out and keep running earlier this morning.
A police dispatcher said: 'There are injuries. I am not sure if there are any deceased at this time.
'Officers are going in to search the building and to get people out.
Currently 40 people are believed to have been injured, but according to a paramedic that number is rising as more people are brought out of the club.
Police posted on Twitter to say that multiple injuries had been reported and urged people to 'stay away from area'.
It was later reported locally that the gunman had moved on to Orlando Regional Medical Centre. Shots were allegedly heard in and around the hospital and no new patients were being admitted.
However, the lockdown was later removed and trauma patients were being admitted.
Paramedic Jordan Hubler said: 'There was a shooter with an assault rifle who shot up the people in the club sometime around 2am.
The club is reported to have been at full capacity. The shooter has himself barricaded inside Pulse with multiple hostages.'
Source - Metro
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