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ISIS-linked news agency Amaq is reporting that the terrorist group has claimed responsibility for a nightclub shooting that killed 39 people during the first hours of the new year. NPR says the claims have not yet been verified. The shooting happened at Reina, one of Istanbul, Turkey's most popular clubs. More than two dozen foreign nationals were among the victims.

""In continuation of the blessed operations that Islamic State is conducting against the protector of the cross, Turkey, a heroic soldier of the caliphate struck one of the most famous nightclubs where the Christians celebrate their apostate holiday," the statement said.

As of January 2, the suspect — who witnesses say entered the club wearing a Santa Claus costume before firing off up to 180 rounds — is still at large, but the AP reports that officials have determined that the gunman "comes from a Central Asian nation and is believed to be either from Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan."

Turkish police, however, have detained eight people in connection with the attack. 

This article appears in Dec 29, 2016 – Jan 5, 2017.

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...