ORLANDO, Fla. — An American-born man who’d previouslybeen investigated by the FBI for his possible Middle Eastern terrorist ties slaughtered 50 people at a gay nightclub in a hail of gunfire and seriously injured another 53 in the worst mass shooting United States history.
It was also the nation’s worst terror attack since the 9-11 tragedy.
The gunman has been identified as Omar Mateen of Fort Pierce, Fla., the FBI revealed during the press conference on Sunday afternoon. Mateen drove two hours to Orlando, armed with an assault rifle and semi-automatic handgun and began shooting at random, the media reported. Eventually, Mateen was killed while exchanging gunfire with police, one of which he injured. Agents also stated that Mateen called 911 around the time of the attack to pledge allegiance to ISIS and he also mentioned the Boston bombers, according to a U.S. official.
Officials said Mateen simply walked into the Pulse nightclub at approximately 2 a.m. and started shooting. Many of the survivors remain in critical condition in area hospital trauma units.
Following a three-hour standoff with local and state police, authorities stormed the building with an armored vehicle and killed Mateen.
“It appears he was organized and well-prepared,” Orlando Police Chief John Mina said early Sunday, adding that it appears Mateen acted alone.
“We know enough to say this was an act of terror and act of hate,” President Obama said in an address to the nation from the White House.
Obama added that while the violence could have hit any American community, “this is an especially heartbreaking day for our friends who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.”
Sistora Yusufiy, Mateen’s ex-wife, said he was a physically abusive husband who suffered from severe mental illness. She was married to Mateen for only four months some seven years ago before her family came and rescued her from Mateen’s home.
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