More details have been emerging about gunman Omar Mateen. We now know that he had been working as an armed security officer for the firm G4S since 2007.

Attention has also been turning to his father, Seddique Mateen. Mr Mateen, who earlier said the attack had "nothing to do with religion", has a political television show on a California-based channel, on which issues such as the Afghan Taliban were apparently discussed. 

As he has previously done following other mass shootings, ThinkProgress reporter Igor Volsky has spent the day retweeting politicians talking about "hopes and prayers" with commentary about how much they have received from National Rifle Association, the US' most prominent gun lobby.

Orlando police chief John Mina has described the shooting as "the darkest day of my 25 years" at the city police department. 

In a statement, he also praises his officers. "I wanted to take a moment to tell all of you how proud I am of the work you have done today and will do over the next days and weeks. 

"We have been trained again and again for this type of situation."

The Council on American-Islamic Relations has urged politicians not to use a nightclub shooting in Florida to "score points" or "exploit fear".

Executive Director Nihad Awad added "homophobia, transphobia, Islamaphobia are interconnected systems". 

Watch more here., external

In an interview with the BBC, Florida Senator Marco Rubio (and former Republican presidential candidate) says gun control efforts "wouldn't have prevented attack". He also described the challenge of tackling "home-grown violent extremists" as the toughest one facing security services.

Watch more here., external

Image source, AP

Reacting to the shooting, Paul Ryan, Speaker of the Republican House of Representatives, said that "as we heal, we need to be clear-eyed about who did this. We are a nation at war with Islamist terrorists". 

In a statement, he also said that he had ordered flags above the US Capitol in Washington, DC, to be flown at half-mast in honour of the victims of the attack.

BBC producer Max Matza says people have been coming throughout the day to dip their hands in paint and press it onto the makeshift canvas memorial near the Pulse nightclub.

"We can confirm that Omar Mateen had been employed with G4S since 10 September 2007," G4S said in a statement sent to the Palm Beach Post. He worked in West Palm Beach, the firm said.

Mateen carried a gun as part of his duties.

"We are co-operating fully with all law enforcement authorities, including the FBI, as they conduct their investigation," the company said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the friends, families and people affected by this unspeakable tragedy.'' 

Image source, Getty Images

Officials at OneBlood say they have received such an overwhelming response that they are now asking donors to come back over the next several days.

Orlando's police have now named the seventh victim of the shooting, as they continue to update the list., external

"Our city is working tirelessly to get as much information out to the families so they can begin the grieving process," the police said in a statement.

Orlando's police are urging the city community to "hold off" on vigils, saying they represent "a serious strain on our limited resources".

Image source, Santa Monica Police department

Earlier on Sunday, police in the Los Angeles area city of Santa Monica arrested a "heavily armed" man who said he was on his way to that's city's Pride parade.

Santa Monica police have now named the suspect as James Howell, 20, of Indiana, and confirmed he told officers he wanted to harm the parade. He is not known to have any connection to the Florida gunman.

The event in Santa Monica took place under heavier security and without incident.

• The death toll remains at 50
• Officials have named six victims. They are Edward Sotomayor Jr; Stanley Almodovar III; Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo; Juan Ramon Guerrero; Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera; Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz. Orlando's mayor has asked for patience while the rest are identified and families are notified

Image source, AP

• Officials have named Omar Mateen as the killer. Mateen was interviewed in 2013 and 2014 by the FBI over potential terror links but the agency said both investigations were closed
• The so-called Islamic state has claimed an IS "fighter" undertook the attack but there has been no known direct links reported between Mateen and the group
• US media has reported Mateen pledged intelligence to IS in a call to emergency services but officials will only confirm he did make a call to 911
• Mateen's father told NBC News he was angered by the sight of two men kissing last month

Image source, Reuters

• US President Barack Obama has called the shootings "an act of terror and act of hate"
• Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has called for "defeating international terror groups" and "hardening our defences at home" and told the LGBT community she was one of "millions of allies across the country"
• Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has called for Mr Obama to step down for not using the words "radical Islam" and has reaffirmed his call for a ban on all Muslim immigration

Ray Rivera, a DJ at the Pulse club, has told the Daily Beast, external how amid the panic and chaos during the shooting he helped some people to survive by hiding them behind his booth.

Image source, AP

The first pictures have emerged of the damaged Pulse club, where FBI agents are continuing their investigation.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, AFP

Police stand outside New York City's famous gay bar The Stonewall Inn amid tightened security. Stonewall was the site of riots following a police raid of the bar in 1969.

Among the first victims named by police is Edward Sotomayor Jr.

Speaking to the Associated Press, his cousin, David Sotomayor, described him as a caring and energetic man. He said he worked for a company that held gay cruises and often traveled to promote the company's events.

"He was just always part of the fun," David Sotomayor said. They last exchanged messages late last week. "You never think that's going to be the last time you speak to him,'' he added. "It's just heartbreaking to know it just can happen anytime.''