Full coverage: 50 Dead in Orlando Nightclub Shooting

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the shooting by a lone gunman in a gay nightclub that killed at least 50 people and wounded 53 others in the US city of Orlando. ISIL-linked news agency Amaq released an English statement online saying this on Sunday.

Flags have been lowered to half-staff at the White House in the wake of the worst shooting in US history. All Flags at official buildings across the country will be lowered until sunset on Thursday. US President Barack Obama described the tragedy as an act of terror and hate. The shooter, identified as 29-year-old US citizen Omar Mateen, was shot dead by the police. He was the son of immigrants from Afghanistan. An investigation is underway and police are trying to determine what motivated Mateen's rampage.