A law enforcement source told CBS News senior investigative producer Pat Milton that during the shooting, Mateen was also communicating with his wife via text message. Salman apparently gave conflicting reports about what she knew of Mateen’s plans, authorities told CNN.
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The messages exchanged with his wife were among several ways he communicated with the outside world on the day he opened fire inside Pulse, a gay nightclub, a rampage that ultimately left 49 people dead and dozens more injured. If she did know about the shooting, under federal law, she is as guilty as her husband. She has been cooperating, but officials believe she had some knowledge of an attack and will likely face some charges. After the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, investigators focused attention on the wife of one of the bombers to see what she may have known about the plot.
CCTV footage showing Omar Mateen hunt down and massacre clubbers at Pulse nightclub has been retrieved by police.
The source said the couple exchanged, “I love you”.
An analysis of Mateen’s electronic devices showed searches for jihadist propaganda, including videos of ISIS beheadings, an official said. CNN cited two “law enforcement officials” who indicated that evidence related to Salman’s possible involvement will go before a grand jury.
The elder Mateen indicated that other family members where in the home but asked reporters to leave the premises as his daughter-in-law was not among them. President Barack Obama called it an act of terrorism. Mateen also emerged through the hole with a long gun and and a handgun and was killed in a gun battle, police said.
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As he carried out the worst mass-shooting in USA history Sunday morning, Omar Mateen checked Facebook to see if he was trending.
