Barack Obama Heading to Orlando to Visit Families of Shooting Victims

President Barack Obama will head to Orlando Thursday to pay respects to the victims' families of an Orlando nightclub shooting which left 49 victims dead and dozens more injured. 

The White House announced the news Monday evening.  White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the president would visit the Florida city to "stand in solidarity with the community as they embark on their recovery."

Obama said the terrorist attack was a result of "home grown extremism" and said he did not believe the shooter had any connection to any terrorist group.

"It is one that is particularly painful for the people of Orlando, but I think we all recognize that this could have happened anywhere in this country," Obama said. "And we feel enormous solidarity and grief on behalf of the families that have been affected."