Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer described the attack as a "horrific crime" that will have a "lasting effect" on the local community.
The shooting was first reported online by the club on their Facebook page: "everyone get out of pulse and keep running".
The Orlando police had previously described the attack as a “mass casualty situation”.
A video shared by local TV station WESH 2 showed the club from the outside, with a dozen shots heard in the background.
Mina said the police decided to "rescue hostages that were in there" at 5 a.m. He said the attacker carried an assault rifle and a handgun.
Police later announced on Twitter that "the shooter inside is dead."
An Orange County Sheriff at the briefing described the shooting as a "domestic terror incident".
WESH 2 reported that a nearby hospital received several injured people.
The network also said a crisis negotiator from law enforcement was called to the area, although there was no official confirmation that there was a hostage situation inside the club.
Police officials announced on Twitter a controlled explosion around the club, with the announcement apparently prompted by concerned social media users mistaking the blast for another possible attack.
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