Texas Lt. Governor Deletes 'Reap What You Sow' Bible Tweet After Orlando Mass Shooting

AUSTIN, Texas (AP/CBSNewYork)-- Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has deleted a tweet quoting the New Testament that he posted after the deadly Orlando nightclub shooting.

Hours after the early Sunday morning shooting at a gay nightclub that left at least 50 people dead, Patrick sent a tweet from his personal account:"Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.''

The tweet received harsh criticism online and Texas' Democratic Party has called on the Republican Patrick to apologize.

The gunman, identified as 29-year-old Omar Mateen, was wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun when he opened fire inside a crowded Florida gay nightclub early Sunday before dying in a gunfight with SWAT officers, police said. The attack left at least 50 people dead, making it the worst mass shooting in American history.

The tweet was sent at around 7 a.m. and deleted four hours later. Patrick's campaign spokesman, Allen Blakemore, strongly denied the tweet was in any way related to the Orlando shooting. He said Patrick is out of the country and often pre-schedules social media postings quoting Scripture.

Patrick is a staunch social conservative who opposes gay marriage and anti-gay discrimination protections.

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