Orlando Police officers direct family members away from a fatal shooting at Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, Florida. | AP Photo

ISIL takes credit for mass shooting in Orlando

By POLITICO Staff

The Islamic State's official media arm, Amaq News Agency, issued a statement taking credit for the mass shooting in Orlando, Fla., that killed 49 people and wounded dozens more.
"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, according to Reuters.

According to a report by NBC News citing "law enforcement sources," the gunman responsible for the shooting pledged allegiance to ISIL leader Omar al-Baghdadi in a phone call to 911. NBC named the shooter as 29-year-old Florida resident Omar Mateen, and said he had mentioned the Tsarnaev brothers — the men responsible for the Boston Marathon bombings — during the 911 call.