“I’ve seen him a couple of times at Pulse, a couple of other people that I’ve spoken with, including an-ex security guard, have actually witnessed this guy at Pulse many times before”, said Chris Callen.
Advertisement
Smith’s husband, Chris Callen, told The Canadian Press that Mateen had frequented Pulse for the last three years.
Both of those inquiries concluded with the Federal Bureau of Investigation determining that Mateen had no credible terrorist ties.
The letter detailing Mateen’s Facebook posts and searches in the final hours of his life came to light as grief-stricken Orlando prepared to bury the first of the 49 dead and awaited a visit Thursday from President Barack Obama, who planned to meet with victims’ families and first responders and offer words of solace. “That’s the thing that’s pinning me to the wall the most, that it was a gay nightclub”, King said. “I would have called the law enforcement”. But the chief said he made a decision to send the SWAT team in and bash through a wall after Mateen holed up with hostages in a bathroom and began to talk about bombs and an explosive vest.
Five of the wounded were reported in grave condition, meaning the death toll could rise and a call has gone out for blood donations.
At the same time, a portrait of Mateen emerged of a troubled loner who harbored a fierce temper and violent streak, as well as aspirations for a career in law enforcement.
The FBI interviewed Mateen, a Fort Pierce, Fla., resident, twice since 2013 – after he told
co-workers he had affiliations with al-Qaeda and Hezbollah – sectarian terrorist rivals.
Authorities closed their probe after concluding that Mateen did not have ties with terror groups.
Salman told investigators that Mateen told her he had interest in carrying out a jihadist attack – but she denied knowing of any specific plans, it said. Mateen purchased his weapons in June, long after his removal from the list.
In a final post, Mateen apparently wrote, “In the next few days you will see attacks from the Islamic State in the U.S.”. But it gave no indication the group planned or knew of the attack beforehand. Now, we’re learning a television producer said Mateen called him as well during the assault.
“I ask that you please provide all Facebook data on Mr Mateen’s activities on his account and any affiliated Facebook accounts, including but not limited to activity logs, Facebook timeline information, Facebook messages, photos, and posts,”he said”.
Advertisement
Mateen’s father, Seddique Mateen, told The Washington Post on Monday that his son was not a very religious man (“I don’t think religion or Islam had anything to do with this”) and that he had not seen any warning signs, although he told NBC News on Sunday that Omar was enraged when he saw two men kissing.
