Orlando Massacre: US Going Through Its 'Worst Nightmare'

Hundreds of people gathered just a few blocks away from the notorious Pulse nightclub in the US city of Orlando. Everyone is willing to help: from blood donations for the victims, to bringing food and water for donors and relatives who wait for hours in the summer heat, Spiegel Online wrote.

The atmosphere in the city is depressing: the place where the tragedy took place looks like a war zone, helicopters are circling in the sky and reporters have gathered in front of the hospital where the injured had been taken after the shooting.

"There are memorial services or spontaneous prayers in the street held throughout the city. Tears are flowing. Many tears. It seems as if people in Orlando most often ask two questions: How could this happen? And what happened to 29-year-old Omar Mateen, who will go down in history as a murderer?" the magazine wrote.

On Sunday, 29-year-old Omar Mateen opened fire in a crowded gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people and injuring 53 others. The shooting was classified by the US police as an act of terrorism and caused a wave of shock across the United States.

"June 12 will remain in the memory [of US residents] as the worst nightmare. From Orlando to Florida — for the entire country. 50 people have been killed. They just wanted to dance but were coolly shot by a young man," the article said.

US intelligence agencies are still working on an explanation of the terrorist's motive behind the shooting. The FBI has confirmed that the shooter, Omar Mateen, swore allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) terror group before carrying out the attack.

The key questions remain yet to be answered: Did he perform a mission for Daesh? Was he inspired by Daesh? Did the FBI make a fatal mistake? Have the agents lost track of Daesh terrorists?

Минута молчания в честь погибших в Орландо #loveislove #lovewins #lesbian #gay #Orlando pic.twitter.com/Iod1bji6zK

— Ты Моя Атмосфера (@atmosphere_LGBT) 14 июня 2016 г.

Left Stonewall memorial moved by incredible love shown by thousands who have come to honor lives of #Orlando victims pic.twitter.com/Y9TQFIgnHf

— Samantha Power (@AmbassadorPower) 14 июня 2016 г.

At the same time, Mateen's father tells a different story. According to him, his son was more of a homophobe, than a religious fanatic. A few months ago Omar Mateen saw a gay couple kissing and hugging in the street and got very angry. However, none of his family members expected such an outcome and were deeply shocked," his father said.

"M. called the police from the club and swore allegiance to Islamic State. But it is quite possible that he used the name of IS to draw maximum attention to the bloodshed. There are still a lot of questions. Perhaps we will know more after a detailed analysis of the computers seized by investigators from M.'s apartment," the magazine concluded.