The news coming out of Orlando, Florida, this morning just keeps getting worse.

A gunman opened fire inside a crowded gay nightclub in Orlando, killing 50 people and injuring dozens more in a rampage that turned into a deadly hostage situation.

Authorities in Orlando said that 50 people were killed in what authorities are calling an act of domestic terrorism, and many others were injured in the violence at Pulse, a popular gay bar and dance club. Police had initially thought about 20 people were killed in the attack, but authorities said later on Sunday morning that the toll was significantly higher.

Officials said the shooter was shot and killed by police officers in a shootout.

The suspected gunman was identified by relatives and law enforcement officials as O__ M___*, a 29-year-old from Fort Pierce, Fla. One relative said that M___’s family was in shock after being told on Sunday morning about his involvement. This relative said M___’s family was very sorry about what had happened.

Police have not identified a possible motive, and details about M___’s background were scarce on Sunday morning. His family is from Afghanistan, while M___ is believed to have been born in the United States.

“It appears he was organized and well-prepared,” Orlando Police Chief John Mina said at a Sunday-morning news conference, noting that the shooter had an “assault-type” weapon and a handgun.

Other news outlets have noted authorities have stated that the terrorist was “known to law enforcement,” but they’ve not said precisely what that means. They’ve not given any indication whether he has a prior criminal record, or if he was under surveillance as a possible terror threat.

The killer is a suspected Islamist radical, and the attack occurred during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. this is probably not a coincidence. The terrorist’s father says that his son became angry when he saw two gay men kissing in Miami a few months ago.

Orlando Police Chief  John Mina has said that the terrorist used an AR-15 rifle and an unknown pistol, but has not explained how the terrorist got an AR-15 rifle into the night club. It’s my guess—and it’s only a guess at this point—that the gun was either an AR-15 pistol smuggled into the club, or if it was a rifle, he shot his way into the club from outside.

Expect President Obama and Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to attempt to exploit this Islamist terror attack by registered Democrat voter not to call for additional scrutiny on radical Islam within the United States, but to attack the most common and popular rifle sold in the United States, the AR-15, and other common semi-automatic rifles and standard capacity magazines.

It’s worth noting that rifles of any kind are exceedingly rare in any kind of crime, including terrorism.

* Bearing Arms does not publish the names of mass or spree killers.