Image capture from NBC News video - The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the deadliest mass shooting in American history
- The gunman, identified as Omar Mateen, attacked a gay club in Orlando, Florida
- The gunman’s father said his son disliked public displays of homosexuality
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or ISIS has claimed responsibility for the deadly shooting spree in a gay club in Orlando, Florida.
Amaq News, a Syrian-based news agency with close ties to ISIS, issued a statement claiming responsibility for the massacre that killed fifty people and wounded 53 others inside the packed Pulse Club in Orlando.
“The armed attack that targeted a gay night club in the city of Orlando in the American state of Florida which left over 100 people dead or injured was carried out by an Islamic State fighter,” RT News quoted Amaq as saying.
Investigators said the gunman, identified as 29-year-old Omar Mateen, called 911 shortly before he attacked the club to pledge allegiance to the Islamic State. He also mentioned the names of two Boston Marathon bombers, brothers Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, during his call.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mateen, who is a Muslim American citizen, had been investigated in 2013 over alleged social media threats and contacts with “a known suicide bomber.” However, he was not charged due to lack of evidence of wrongdoing.
The gunman’s father, Mir Seddique Mateen, said in a televised interview that religion has nothing to do with the shooting. He said his son told him he was disturbed after seeing two men kissing in Miami a couple of months ago. The older Mateen believed the shooting has something to do with his son’s dislike of public displays of homosexuality.
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