What drove Omar Mateen to commit the worst mass shooting in US history?
ADVERTISEMENTWhat 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/hGMFD770wBpic.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