The shooter — identified by law enforcement as Omar Mateen, 29 — was killed early Sunday by police after opening fire with an assault rifle and handgun, leaving 50 dead and more than 50 injured, police said.
The sickening attack, of course, caused an uproar on social media. Those reactions included plenty of debate about Muslim immigration and gun control, but a good deal were simply reminders to hug loved ones, calls for healing prayer, and messages of acceptance and inclusion.
Below is just a small cross section of social media reactions that we gleaned from Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
"I'm sure I'll have a more eloquent response after I can comprehend what has happened, but for now ... That could have been me or you. That could have been my club, your club, our club. This will have a profound impact on the LGBTQ community. Our safety and safe zones have been ripped out from underneath our feet and torn from our grasp. We get one weekend a year to celebrate ourselves and the beautiful creations that we are and in the midst of that celebration, in one of our safety zones, has been a massive mass shooting.
I urge you brothers and sisters, especially my Christian ones, to tell your LGBTQ friends and family that you love them, but mostly that God loves them. Tell them this isn't an act of God and that their life matters. Tell them that they have a safe place with you. Because whether you realize it or not, that could be the only positive thing that person hears today and it could save many more lives that this event has threatened. Don't stay silent. We need our allies to take a stand. We need you now more than ever. May God's love and peace prevail. Kyrie Eleison. Christe Eleison. Kylie Eleison." - Sarah Leonard, via Facebook.
