Vigil held Sunday night in Ottawa for victims of Orlando shooting

Ottawans gathered Sunday night at the city's Human Rights Monument to pay tribute to the victims of a mass shooting earlier that day at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

Police say 50 people died and 53 were injured when a gunman opened fire at Pulse, a popular LGBT nightclub, at around 2 a.m. ET.

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"I think everyone in the community across Canada is completely shocked," said Jeremy Dias, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity in Ottawa.

"Mostly no one expected anything like this to ever happen. I think sometimes we take LGBTQ rights, our safety, for granted. And I think this is a stark reminder that to be queer or trans in North America is not always easy."

According to Orlando police, a man entered the nightclub with an "assault-type rifle and a handgun" and, after exchanging shots with an officer working at the venue, opened fire on the crowd.

The suspect was killed by police after the mass shooting and hostage-taking, and has been identified as Omar Mateen of Port St. Lucie, Fla.

'There were a lot of tears'

After the shooting, Dias said, he spoke on the phone with his colleagues at LGBTQ centres in Orlando.

"They were in just as much shock as we were. There were a lot of tears, a lot of confusion. Folks in Orlando are trying to figure out what happened on their end, as well."

Sunday's candlelight vigil began at the Elgin Street monument at around 8 p.m.

"The targeting of any group with senseless acts of violence is an abhorrent act of cowardice," Capital Pride said in an email.

"We stand in solidarity against such acts of violence. We express our deepest sympathies to the victims and their loved ones. We convey our gratitude to first responders whose actions prevented more victims."

Vigils were being held in other cities across the country, including Toronto and Winnipeg.

Rainbow flags to fly

The rainbow pride flag will fly in front of the Heritage Building at Ottawa City Hall, while the U.S. flag will fly in front of Marion Dewar Plaza, Mayor Jim Watson said in a statement.

Both flags will remain aloft until sundown on June 16, Watson said.

"We are fortunate to live in a city and a country that embrace diversity, and where people are free to love who they wish to love," Watson said in his statement.

"But this act of hate and terror reminds us that we must keep making progress until this climate of acceptance is extended to all members of the LGBTQ community around the world."

A rainbow flag will also be hoisted Sunday night at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Dias said.