FBI Director James B. Comey has not yet addressed reports that his agency twice investigated the alleged Orlando shooter for terrorists ties, but failed to prevent him from obtaining weapons.
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch has not yet addressed reports the FBI, an agency under her supervision, failed to track alleged shooter Omar Mateen even after he was questioned twice about possible terrorist ties.
Massachusetts State Police Sunday afternoon identified a connection between the Orlando, Fla., terrorist shootings that killed at least 50 people—the worst mass shooting in U.S. history—and the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Despite earlier denials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of a link between alleged shooter Omar Mateen and Islamic radicals, federal officials told Massachusetts State Police that Mateen cited the Boston Marathon bombers.
“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,” read a statement from state police.
Mateen was reportedly shot and killed by an Orlando SWAT team after taking dozens of hostages at the Pulse gay nightclub which was having a Latin night. The state police report comes as Boston closes its annual Gay Pride celebration.
“This is an especially heartbreaking day for all of our friends—our fellow Americans—who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. The shooter targeted a nightclub where people came together to be with friends, to dance and to sing, and to live. The place where they attacked is more than a nightclub. It is a place of solidarity and empowerment where people have come together to raise awareness, to speak their minds and advocate for the civil rights,” President Obama said in a televised address.
The gunman was allowed to purchase two guns legally, including an AR-15-type assault rifle, despite being questioned by the FBI about terrorist ties in both 2013 and 2014, according to reports. FBI Director James B. Comey has not yet directly addressed this latest intelligence failure by his department. The FBI is an agency under the umbrella of the U.S. Justice Department, headed by Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch.
Massachusetts State Police said “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.”
“My heart is broken for all of the victims, their loved ones and the community of Orlando. There will be more to learn in the days and weeks ahead as we seek answers to our questions,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. “Today we focus on those we’ve lost and those who’ve been injured. The LGBT community is strong. Americans are strong. Today, we focus on the victims and their families. Tomorrow, we get back to work to honor their memory, the memory of the 100,000 people killed in gun violence since we said ‘never again’ after Sandy Hook and all those who have lost their lives in such senseless tragedies. Let us stand in solidarity, united in strength, compassion and love,” Healey said.
A religious faith that doesn’t tolerate gay people, yet ideologues focus on firearms, in a scenario where firearms would have been the only equalizer. Brilliant. Leave it to our own ideologue AG reference “gun violence” and not touch Muslim faith intolerance or extremism. Also an AG that not only works in a building with armed guards, but a State Police detachment to guard her. Maybe Beacon Hill will pass legislation disband all armed security and The State Police detachments on Beacon Hill, as well as every Democratic legislator give up their LTC’s and firearms?
Hypocrites & Tyrants