Omar Mateen Update: Orlando Shooter Pledged Allegiance To ISIS Before Opening Fire At Pulse Nightclub [VIDEO]
As the world is still learning about the horrific events that unfolded in Central Florida this weekend, there are more details coming out about Omar Saddiqui Mateen, the 29-year-old man that killed at least 50 people and injured 53 more at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. New reports say that the Afghan-American from Fort Pierce, Florida, allegedly pledged his allegiance to ISIS before opening fire inside the nightclub early Sunday morning.
Marteen, who was employed as a security guard, was a U.S. citizen with no known criminal history or terrorist ties. According to the New York Post, he did though make a "pledge of allegiance to ISIS" during a 911 call before carrying out one of the bloodiest mass murders in the history of the United States.
California Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence said, "The fact that this shooting took place during Ramadan and that ISIS leadership in Raqqa has been urging attacks during this time, that the target was an LGBT nightclub during (LGBT) Pride (month) and, if accurate, that according to local law enforcement the shooter declared his allegiance to ISIS, indicates an ISIS-inspired act of terrorism."
He added, "Whether this attack was also ISIS-directed, remains to be determined. I'm confident that we will know much more in the coming hours and days."
US Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) also says there appears to be a link from Mateen to Islamic radicalism and ISIS.
He said, "I asked the FBI if there was any connection to Islamic radicalism. There appears to be. But they are naturally cautious and waiting throughout to see if this is, facts emerge."
