Apple CEO Tim Cook calls Orlando shooting 'act of terrorism and hate'

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Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday offered his sympathies to the families and friends of those who were killed in Sunday's deadly mass shooting in an Orlando, Florida, nightclub. He also denounced the attack, calling it an "act of terrorism and hate."

During the company's Worldwide Developers Conference, Cook said the attack was a senseless act of violence "aimed at dividing and destroying."

He asked everyone in the audience to rise and join in a moment of silence to "honor the victims and the people who loved them."

The shooting at the Pulse nightclub, where a gunman killed 49 people and wounded more than 50, is the deadliest in US history. It also was an apparent targeted attack on the LGBT community. Pulse is a well-known gay club in the Orlando area. The attack also occurred as many across the country were celebrating LGBT Pride Month with parades, block parties and festivals around the country.

Cook, who is the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company, has become a voice in the community on LGBT-related political issues, such as gay marriage. As part of his remarks, Cook noted that the Apple community is made up of diverse people from around the world. He said the company celebrates this diversity.

"We know it makes us stronger and moves everyone forward," he said.