Update: as of June 13, so many stepped up to help that “the blood bank met its needs for Sunday.“

You can help by donating to this go fund me or attending a local vigil. if you are in Orlando, reach out to offer support to the community in whatever way possible.

*

Breaking reports from Orlando advise that 50 are dead and nearly as many wounded in a tragic shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

This is being called the biggest mass shooting in American history.

Live updates: reddit. 

Reports state that a shoot-out began at the entrance to Pulse nightclub at 2:00 a.m. EST. The gunman then entered the nightclub, taking hostages. At approximately 5:00 a.m. EST, SWAT moved in to rescue the hostages and the suspect was killed at that time.

Orlando and the state of Florida have declared a state of emergency.

“A SWAT truck and a bomb disposal unit are on the scene of an address associated with the man named as the shooter. Numerous police officers and members of the FBI also area there.” ~ /u/kyleohiio via Reddit

“This, and just last night Christina Grimmie* was killed. Getting nervous as an Orlando native. These things were always tragedies but they always happened somewhere else. Now it’s quite literally close to home.” ~ /u/NinnyBoggy via Reddit

“I cannot begin to explain how hard it is to be a dispatcher in a situation like this. As one of the nearly 20,000 people listening to Orlando EMS’s Broadcastify for the past few hours, I have to commend the Orlando area emergency services for how they have handled this.” ~ /u/recupero via Reddit

People are lining up to donate blood.

Facebook has activated its safety check feature.

President Obama delivered a live statement:

“We stand with the people of Orlando, who have endured a terrible attack on their city. Although it’s still early in the investigation, we know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate. As Americans, we are united in grief, in outrage, and in resolve to defend our people.”

~

Orlando’s Mayor comments on this tragic event:

~

Image: ABC Twitter

~

Relephant:

We Need More than Awareness to Stop Gun Violence. {Plus Obama weighs in on Second Amendment rights and gun control.}

There Have Been 204 Mass Shootings in America in the Last 204 Days.

If Guns were as Regulated as Cars. {Infographic}

Mass Shootings, Mental Illness and the Problem of Human Suffering.