The actions of a deranged gunman who opened fire into a crowd at Orlando’s popular gay nightclub Pulse have now resulted in fifty dead making it the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. As authorities investigate and news begins to trickle in as to the motives early reports indicate that there is a Muslim extremist link to the slaughter. The shooter has been identified as Omar Mateen, a Florida man who despite reportedly being on the radar as a potential problem was able to avoid law enforcement for long enough to run amok early Sunday morning.

As reported by Reuters “Fifty people killed in massacre at Florida gay nightclub: police”:

A gunman killed 50 people and injured 53 in a massacre at a gay nightclub in the tourist hub of Orlando, Florida, early on Sunday, the city’s mayor and police said, in an attack U.S. authorities are described as a “terrorism incident.”

The shooter was identified as Omar S. Mateen, a man that a senior FBI official said might have had leanings towards Islamic State militants. Officials cautioned that the Islamist tie required further investigation.

The death toll given by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer to reporters made the attack the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, eclipsing the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech university, which left 32 dead.

A hostage situation quickly developed, and three hours later a squad of officers stormed the club and shot dead the gunman. It was unclear when the gunman shot the victims.

“Do we consider this an act of terrorism? Absolutely, we are investigating this from all parties’ perspective as an act of terrorism,” said Danny Banks, special agent in charge of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. “Whether that is domestic terrorist activity or an international one, that is something we will certainly get to the bottom of.”

The fact that authorities are now calling the shooting an act of terrorism throws a monkey wrench into the works for Democrats who were drooling at the chance to exploit the incident to push for increased gun control as well as to further the election year narrative of a climate of hatred towards LGBTs. It will also complicate efforts to blame it all on Donald Trump although there will inevitably be those who try to do exactly that. To this point there have been few attempts to politicize what is a barbaric act of terrorism but they are coming and coming soon.

Emperor Obama has reportedly been briefed and will at some point deliver a statement on the tragedy, it’s even money that he will use the opportunity to push for gun control measures and downplay any links to Islamic terror.

Additional details will be forthcoming as they develop.