Orlando shooter's father: "I condemn what he did"

What drove Omar Mateen to commit the worst mass shooting in US history?

Mental illness? Radicalisation? Homophobia? Or a combination of all three?

As the debate continues, the mass murderer’s father has said he can’t forgive his son.

Afghan-born Seddique Mateen is a fringe political commentator whose posts on social media have been making their own headlines since Sunday’s tragedy.

Describing his son’s actions as those of a “terrorist”, he said: “I condemn what he did”.

“I wish I did know …what he was doing… I would have arrested him myself.”

And to those mourning loved ones killed by Omar Mateen, he said:

“I apologise for what my son did and I am as sad and as mad as you guys are. You are my family.”

Omar Mateen’s father calls the Orlando shooting "an act of terrorism" https://t.co/hGMFD770wB pic.twitter.com/ZME595duZc

— The New York Times (@nytimes) 13 juin 2016

Mateen’s father, speaking at his home in Port St. Lucie, Florida, has said his son was not radicalised but he indicated the gunman had strong anti-gay feelings. The shooter’s ex-wife has described him as mentally unstable and violent toward her.

#Orlando shooter's ex-wife says she was rescued from a "disturbed" and violent Omar Mateen: https://t.co/TYnCk5otiQhttps://t.co/u04q2ptvwr

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) 13 juin 2016