Criminal investigation

FBI Director Says Orlando Massacre Gunman Had 'Strong indications of Radicalization'

FBI Director James B. Comey said Monday there are "strong indications of radicalization" of the gunman in Sunday's massacre of 49 people at a gay club in Orlando due "at least, in some part, by the internet."

But Comey said that there was no evidence that the shooter, 29-year-old Omar Mateen, was part of a larger conspiracy or was directed by an extremist group like the Islamic State.

Comey said Mateen had spoken with a 911 operator three times after he had taken hostages in Orlando's Pulse nightclub and was in a standoff with police, and pledged allegiance to Islamic State leader Omar al-Baghdadi by name. Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the attack, calling Mateen a "fighter," but it's not clear the group ever had contact with him, much less supported or had prior knowledge of the attack.