Various Americans on Monday made statements in connection to the killings that took place in Orlando, central Florida in the United States.
A rampage had occurred on Sunday at a gay nightclub, with at least 50 people killed and 53 more wounded.
In his White House briefing, President Barack Obama said Americans were bonded in grief, outrage and “resolve to defend our people”, after “an act of terror and an act of hate”.
He described the incident as the ‘worst mass shooting in U.S. history’ and ordered that the American flags be lowered to half-staff to honor the victims of the attack.
In a statement by his spokesman, Vice President Joe Biden “offered his prayers for all those killed and injured in the shooting and sends his condolences to all the families and loved ones of the victims”.
“Grudge In His Heart”
US presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, on her part said the attack was a tragedy that required a serious response.
Also reacting to the shooting was the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus who issued a statement saying they were “horrified by the tragic shooting”.
Seddique Mateen, the father of the attacker, Omar Mateen, said he did not know that his son had a “grudge in his heart”.
Omar was shot dead by the police.
Mr Mateen said he did not understand why his son carried out the shooting at the Pulse nightclub.
He had earlier said his son was angered after seeing two men kissing in Miami.
According to the BBC, in a statement posted online and addressed to people in his native Afghanistan, Seddique Mateen said his son was “a very good boy”, who had a wife and a child.
“I don’t know what caused it,” he said. “I never figured out that he had a grudge in his heart….I am grief-stricken.”