Public security

ISIS-inspired citizen known to FBI: Facts behind deadliest US mass shooting in Orlando

Following the deadly shooting spree in Orlando, Florida, local FBI chief Ron Hopper acknowledged that New York-born US citizen Mateen had professed his Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) allegiance during a 911 call he made from the nightclub at the time of the attack.

The IS propaganda machine was also quick to claim responsibility for the mass shooting by distributing a message via Amaq News that the atrocity was “carried out by an Islamic State fighter.”

However, the IS claim may be nothing more than a propaganda move to capitalize on a massacre perpetrated by a lone-wolf attacker who could have had no direct links to the terror group, security experts told RT.

The suspect’s former wife described him as abusive and emotionally and mentally unstable, and said that her family had to “rescue” her from her ex-husband during their divorce. Meanwhile his former coworker noted that Omar Mateen frequently “talked about killing people” and made racist and homophobic comments, but the company refused to act because it did not want to be accused of Islamophobia.