Profile of Orlando Shooter and Details of Killings
Mateen's father told NBC News, "this has nothing to do with religion." Mir Seddique said his son got angry when he saw two men kissing in Miami a couple of months ago and thinks that may be related to the shooting.
"We are saying we are apologizing for the whole incident. We weren't aware of any action he is taking. We are in shock like the whole country,” Seddique said.
Seddique also said Mateen was a husband and father to a 3-year-old boy.
Mateen father seems to be very political and very Pro Taliban in Afghanistan. We currently have troops in Afghanistan giving support to the government against the Taliban which is the terrorist organization we fought there after 9/11 (adamfoxie)
Meet the Dad of Orlando Shooter and his Pro Taliban Show
Seddique also said Mateen was a husband and father to a 3-year-old boy.
Mateen father seems to be very political and very Pro Taliban in Afghanistan. We currently have troops in Afghanistan giving support to the government against the Taliban which is the terrorist organization we fought there after 9/11 (adamfoxie)
Meet the Dad of Orlando Shooter and his Pro Taliban Show
A man who picked up the phone at Mateen's listed address, Mustafa Abasin, told NBC News: "We are in shock and we are sad." He would not explain how he knew the gunman, but added that he was aiding investigators.
Law enforcement sources told NBC News just before the attack began, the shooter called 911 and swore allegiance to ISIS.
Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., whose district includes the site of the shooting, suggested to reporters that "more likely than not" the massacre was ideologically motivated.
“Let me put it this way," Grayson said, "the nationality of family members is indicative."
The family’s background was not immediately clear, but Grayson said Mateen was a U.S. citizen.
The New York City Police Department said in a statement they are in contact with law enforcement authorities in Florida and the FBI as they closely monitor developments. “Meanwhile, the NYPD has placed our Patrol and Counter-terrorism resources, including CRC, SRG and ESU personnel, on alert pending further information.”
Officials previously said a gunman opened fire at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando around 2 a.m. A uniformed officer working at the nightclub exchanged gunfire with the shooter, who was armed with an assault-type rifle, a handgun and a suspicious device.
"The officer engaged in a gun battle with that suspect. The suspect at some point went back inside the club and more shots were fired. This did turn into a hostage situation," Orlando Police Chief John Mina said during a news conference said.
The gunman was shot dead when a SWAT team entered the club, police said.
Mateen was rabidly anti gay as his fathers detailed his (Mateen) reaction when he saw two men kissing in Miami. He also expressed his disgust towards gays.
He was also prone to violence.
He worked as a private security guard in Miami and held an associates degree in criminal justice from Indian River State College. He also possessed a Statewide Firearms License.
An FBI spokesman said the mass shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
US citizen Mateen, who was shot dead by officers, entered the nightclub wielding an AR-15 assault rifle and a handgun.
Writing on Facebook, Pulse urged party-goers to 'get out and keep running' as bullets started flying at around 2am local time.
Orlando Police Chief John Mina said the suspect exchanged gunfire with an officer working at the club around 2am, then went back inside and took hostages.
There were about 320 people inside the club at the time of the shootings and about 100 people were taken hostage.
At around 5am authorities sent in a SWAT team to rescue the hostages. Nine hero officers used a 'controlled explosion' to distract the shooter before fatally shooting him and were able to rescue about 30 hostages who were hiding in the bathroom of the club.
During the gunfire, an officer was shot, but he was saved by his helmet. (Daily Mail)
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