After 50 people were killed and more than 50 hurt in a mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub Sunday morning, the father of the gunman spoke to media and said he is just as shocked as the rest of the nation.

"... We are apologizing for the whole incident," the father said. "We weren't aware of any action he is taking. We are in shock like the whole country.

"This had nothing to do with religion," he said to NBC News.

An assault rifle was used in the shootings by Mateen, a 29-year-old U.S. citizen from Port St. Lucie, Fla.

It happened at Pulse, a gay nightclub in the popular tourist city.