Multiple news outlets are reporting that Orlando nightclub shooter Omar Mateen called 911 and pledged his allegiance to ISIS.
Immediately before going on a homicidal rampage, Omar Mateen called 911 and pledged his allegiance to Islamic State.
CBS News: shooting suspect Omar Mateen called 911-declared his allegiance to ISIS-mentioned Boston Marathon bombers pic.twitter.com/VgwhYw9yPl
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) June 12, 2016
The 29-year-old U.S.-born citizen pledged his allegiance to the ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, then referenced the Tsarnaev brothers, who carried out the Boston Marathon bombing.
Statement from the Massachusetts State Police:
“During a conference call with federal law enforcement officials a short time ago, Massachusetts State Police and other local law enforcement authorities learned that the Orlando nightclub gunman, during his rampage, pledged allegiance to ISIS and referenced the Tsarnaev brothers, the terrorists who exploded bombs at the 2013 Boston Marathon. In light of that information, the Commonwealth Fusion Center continues to share information and intelligence with federal authorities investigating the Orlando terrorist act as well as with police assigned to the Boston Regional Intelligence Center.
“As previously stated, the names of the gunman and his wife did not appear in any databases of potential terrorist suspects maintained by local authorities; however, law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts continue to work with federal authorities to learn more about the nature of the statement about the Tsarnaev brothers attributed to the Orlando terrorist.
“No further information is available at this time.”
Tashfeen Malik made a similar public declaration of loyalty to ISIS on Facebook before carrying out the San Bernardino shooting, where 14 people were gunned down last year.
Although ISIS has not officially taken credit for the massacre, they did call for lone wolf attacks. Last month, ISIS released a message instructing their followers to launch attacks on the United States and Europe during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which began on the evening of Sunday, June 5.
“Ramadan, the month of conquest and jihad. Get prepared, be ready … to make it a month of calamity everywhere for the non-believers … especially for the fighters and supporters of the caliphate in Europe and America.”
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