The White House released a statement Sunday morning on the Pulse Nightclub attack, yet unlike all the major news outlets it refrained from recognizing the actions of 29-year-old Omar Mateen as radical Islamic terrorism.
Full White House statement on #Orlando shootings pic.twitter.com/UvSeguBJeQ
— West Wing Reports (@WestWingReport) June 12, 2016
“The President was briefed this morning by Lisa Monaco, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, on the tragic shooting in Orlando, Florida. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims,” reads the statement. (RELATED: 20 Dead In Terror Attack On Gay Club In Orlando)
“The President asked to receive regular updates as the FBI, and other federal officials, work with the Orlando Police to gather more information, and directed that the federal government provide any assistance necessary to pursue the investigation and support the community.”
ORLANDO, FL – JUNE 12: Orlando police officers seen outside of Pulse nightclub after a fatal shooting and hostage situation on June 12, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. The suspect was shot and killed by police after 20 people died and 42 were injured. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)
FBI assistant investigator in charge Ronald Hopper told Fox News Sunday morning that there are “suggestions that the individual may have leanings toward that particular ideology.”
At Least 20 Dead In Mass Shooting At Orlando Gay Nightclub (Getty Images)
CBS News is reporting the shooter is 29-year-old Omar Mateen, a U.S. citizen who lived in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Two law enforcement sources tell @cbsnews the Orlando gay club shooter is Omar Mateen – a U.S. citizen from Port Saint Lucie, FL.
Born 1986— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) June 12, 2016
Law enforcement officials now estimate Mateen killed 50 people and injured at least 53 more.