Shooter’s father blames ISIS for mass shooting in Orlando

World Today

The father of the Orlando gunman Omar Mateen is blaming the Islamic State group for the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

Seddique Mateen told reporters that his son and all of those killed and injured when the 29-year-old American-born Muslim opened fire on a gay nightclub were victims of the Islamic State group.

He blamed the group for influencing his son, who authorities say pledged support to the militant group.

He warned other youth to not fall into the trap of the “killer group.” Mateen said that if he had known of his son’s intentions, he would have informed authorities and turned his son over to them.

49 people were killed and more than 50 injured after Omar Mateen opened fire at the Pulse nightclub about 2 a.m. Sunday in an attack that ended with him being killed by a police SWAT team.

Mateen’s father spoke to reporters outside his son’s home in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Story by The Associated Press