The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the worst shooting in U.S. history.
A report from AMAQ, a news organization tied to the Islamic State, said the terrorist group took responsibility for the shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando that left at least 50 people dead and 53 hospitalized.
The Amaq attributed the attack to an Islamic State fighter, according to Reuters.
“The armed attack that targeted a gay night club in the city of Orlando in the American state of Florida which left over 100 people dead or injured was carried out by an Islamic State fighter,” Amaq said in a Reuters report.
The shooter, Omar Mateen, reportedly called 911 before the shooting and pledged allegiance to ISIS and mentioned the Boston Marathon bombers, according to a report on NBC News.
So far the FBI has said it is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism but is still trying to figure out the exact motivations.
Mateen had been on an FBI watch list for alleged contact with targeted individuals. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., also said that Intelligence Committee staff had let him know that there was a connection between Mateen and terrorist groups.
President Obama called the shootings an “act of terror and an act of hate.”
