Skip to main content
The homepageVoxVox logo
The homepageVoxVox logo

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

The Pulse nightclub shooting killed at least 50 people — the deadliest in US history

by Victoria M. Massie and Javier Zarracina
Part Of
Pulse gay nightclub shooting in Orlando: the deadliest in US history
see all updates

As information continues to unfold over the tragic mass shooting at Pulse gay nightclub early Sunday morning, one fact remains clear: This stands as the deadliest mass shooting in American history.

City officials confirmed 50 people are dead, including the gunman, after the 29-year-old Omar Mateen opened fire at 2 am, with 53 more in the hospital. The second-deadliest mass shooting was at Virginia Tech in 2007, when student Seung-Hui Cho opened fire at the Blacksburg, Virginia, campus, killing 32 people.

See More:

More in: Pulse gay nightclub shooting in Orlando: the deadliest in US history

One map that puts America’s gun violence epidemic in perspectiveOne map that puts America’s gun violence epidemic in perspective
Most terrorist attacks in the US are committed by Americans — not foreignersMost terrorist attacks in the US are committed by Americans — not foreigners
Hillary Clinton doesn’t want to abolish the 2nd Amendment. Here’s what she DOES want to doHillary Clinton doesn’t want to abolish the 2nd Amendment. Here’s what she DOES want to do

Most Popular

  1. Donald Trump messed with the wrong pope
  2. Take a mental break with the newest Vox crossword
  3. The Supreme Court could legalize moonshine, and ruin everything else
  4. The Air Quality Index and how to use it, explained
  5. What trainers actually think about the 12-3-30 workout

More in Politics

The Logoff
Trump’s DOJ wants to undo January 6 convictionsTrump’s DOJ wants to undo January 6 convictions
The Logoff

How the Trump administration is still trying to rewrite January 6 history.

By Cameron Peters
Politics
Donald Trump messed with the wrong popeDonald Trump messed with the wrong pope
Politics

Trump fought with Pope Francis before. He’s finding Pope Leo XIV to be a tougher foil.

By Christian Paz
Podcasts
A cautionary tale about tax cutsA cautionary tale about tax cuts
Podcast
Podcasts

California cut property taxes in the 1970s. It didn’t go so well.

By Miles Bryan and Noel King
Podcasts
Obama’s top Iran negotiator on Trump’s screwupsObama’s top Iran negotiator on Trump’s screwups
Podcast
Podcasts

Wendy Sherman helped Obama reach a deal with Iran. Here’s what she thinks Trump is doing wrong.

By Kelli Wessinger and Noel King
Politics
The Supreme Court could legalize moonshine, and ruin everything elseThe Supreme Court could legalize moonshine, and ruin everything else
Politics

McNutt v. DOJ could allow the justices to seize tremendous power over the US economy.

By Ian Millhiser
The Logoff
The new Hormuz blockade, briefly explainedThe new Hormuz blockade, briefly explained
The Logoff

Trump tries Iran’s playbook.

By Cameron Peters