Federal officials are telling members of Congress the man who killed at least 50 people at a Florida nightclub may have pledged allegiance to ISIS. Omar Mateen, the 29-year-old U.S.-born citizen who opened fire at a gay nightclub in Orlando early Sunday morning, was reportedly “on the radar” of U.S. law enforcement officials.
Florida senator Bill Nelson said at a press briefing Sunday that intelligence officials told him there was “some connection” between Mateen and ISIS, the terrorist organization.
Senator Nelson says officials have indicated there is “some connection to ISIS” with this shooting
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) June 12, 2016
Adam Schiff, the ranking member on the House homeland security committee, said the Department of Homeland Security told him Mateen made a “pledge of allegiance” to the Islamic State, another name for ISIS.
Rep. Schiff, who is always cautious, says Dept. of Homeland Security told him Orlando shooter made pledge of allegiance to Islamic State.
— Damian Paletta (@damianpaletta) June 12, 2016
The chairman of the House homeland security committee, Michael McCaul, called the shooting the “worst terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11.”
This appears to be the worst terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11.
— Michael McCaul (@RepMcCaul) June 12, 2016
Mateen was killed during a SWAT team raid on the club.
