Authorities believe Orlando shooter has possible ties to ISIS

Tragedy struck Saturday night when gunman Omar Mateen opened fire in Pulse nightclub in Orlando, FL. The deadly shooting left 50 dead, including the sniper. This is reportedly the largest mass shooting in U.S. history, Mateen shot and killed 49 people and left 53 injured. It is believed that the attack was a hate crime targeted towards the LGBT community.

Authorities searched for answers and a motive behind this heinous crime. Searching for significance, it was discovered in 2013 Mateen caught the attention of authorities. He was interviewed after making comments to coworkers about possible ties to acts of terrorism. In 2014 he was interviewed again in possible connections with Moner Mohammad Abu-Salha, a former Florida resident and suicide bomber in Syria. Due to these allegations, it is now believed that the shooter was connected to ISIS. During the massacre on Saturday night, the suspect made a 911 call in which he declared his allegiance to the Islamic state. Those closest to him described Mateen as an angry, violent “bigot” who was abusive and suffered from bipolar disorder.

It was reported that he tried to purchase military-grade body armor from a local gun store a few weeks before the incident, but was denied by personnel. Though he was refused the body armor, Mateen successfully purchased a Glock pistol and a long gun according to Trevor Velino, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Investigators are still searching for more evidence and background on the shooter.

Maya Moore