Attorney General Loretta Lynch is cutting short a trip to China to return to the U.S. in wake of a deadly nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fla., her office said in a statement.

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Lynch was in China to participate in the U.S.-China Cyber Ministerial in Beijing.

'My thoughts and prayers are with the victims' families during this very difficult time," Lynch said, adding that the Department of Justice is "fully supporting" the investigation.

"The Justice Department's Community Relations Service has been in contact with local authorities, community leaders and local working groups to offer any assistance as needed."

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, who was also planning to travel to Beijing for “ministerial-level discussions there,” canceled his trip.

“As the President just stated, the deadly shooting in the early morning hours in Orlando is the worst in U.S. history. As the President also stated, it was an act of terror and an act of hate,” Johnson said in a statement posted on the Department of Homeland Security website.

“The leadership of the Department of Homeland Security and our components are dedicated to investigating this tragedy, along with the FBI and our state and local partners, and supporting the Orlando community in the tragedy's aftermath,” he added.

In a statement delivered from the White House briefing room at 2 p.m. ET, President Obama declared the mass shooting an act of terror, vowing to dedicate the federal government's full resources to the investigation.

Fifty people were killed and 53 more wounded inside the crowded gay nightclub. Omar Mateen, a U.S. citizen from Florida, is suspected in the shooting. He was killed at the scene.

Orlando Police Chief John Mina told reporters the suspect had an assault-style rifle and a handgun.

The casualty figures at Pulse make it the worst mass shooting incident in U.S. history. It also marks Obama's 20th post-shooting address since becoming president.