The FBI twice investigated the shooter of at least 50 people at an Orlando gay nightclub for ties to potential terrorists but declined to move forward.
The FBI first became aware in 2013 of Omar Mateen, the identified shooter, when he made “inflammatory comments to coworkers alleging terrorist ties,” said Ronald Hooper, the agent in command of the shooting investigation, during a press conference.
He said that the FBI investigated the comments made by Mateen, who worked as a security guard, and interviewed Mateen twice. However, the FBI was “unable to verify the substance of his comments and the investigation was closed.”
Mateen came on the FBI’s radar again back in 2014 for contacting an American suicide bomber, Moner Abu Salha. Hopper said that the contact was “minimal” and didn’t constitute a “substantive relationship.”
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a report from the Amaq news organization which is tied to the Islamic State.
Mateen called 911 before the shooting at the Pulse nightclub that also injured 53 people, and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, according to a report from NBC News.
