GOP senator calls Orlando nightclub attack a ‘horrible, horrible tragedy’

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) on Sunday called the attacks at an Orlando, Fla., nightclub that left 50 dead and many more injured a “horrible, horrible tragedy.”

“We don’t know what happened, but we reached out to federal officers,” he said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

{mosads}”And everyone, what happens is one too many. So we’ll be looking at is as it unfolds in the coming days.”

The shooting and hostage incident that took place early Sunday morning at a crowded nightclub is being characterized as an act of terrorism.

The suspect, who was killed in the club during a shootout with police, had an assault-style rifle, a handgun and “some type of device.”

The man appeared to be “organized and well-prepared,” police said. An agent from the FBI’s Orlando field office said there are “suggestions” the suspect may have had “leanings” toward radical Islamic ideology.

Flake said if it is determined that the person was “at least conspired by [the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria] ISIS,” the country will likely have a conversation about terrorism. 

“If he wasn’t, it may be a gun debate.”

People have been talking for a while about tightening background checks, Flake said.

“Particularly as it pertains to those with mental illness,” he said.

“And I think that that debate can and should go on, as well as the debate on how to best protect us against those who were inspired or funded or directed by international terrorists.”