Advertisement

Orlando shooter’s father says nightclub should have ‘had good security,’ police response was ‘late’

The father of the suspected Orlando gunman told British broadcaster Sky News that his son’s attack at the Pulse nightclub could have been prevented if the club had had better security.

READ MORE: Father of Orlando mass shooting suspect, Omar Mateen, says only God can ‘punish’ homosexuality

“Well the first thing I want to say is that club should have good security,” Seddique Mateen said in an interview with Sky News on Tuesday.

“The club [knew] that three to four hundred people are coming, should have good security. And if there was good security, he wouldn’t have this opportunity,” Mateen added.

The Sky News reporter clarified Mateen’s statement by asking, “It’s the club’s responsibility?”

The father of 29-year-old Omar Mateen, responded by saying, “They should [have] had good security.”
Story continues below advertisement

Mateen also said he thought law enforcement officials arrived at the scene too late.

“Why the law enforcement came so late, they should have neutralized him quick,” Mateen said. “They should have used some kind of those tear-creating type of bombs or shoot the gas on them to neutralize them quick. This would not have happened.”

READ MORE: Orlando shooter frequented gay nightclub before killing spree

Sunday’s shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida left at least 49 people dead and more than 50 injured.

The attack is considered the worst shooting in modern U.S. history.

Omar Mateen was born in the U.S. to Afghan immigrants.

Seddique Mateen told Sky News he did not see any signs of his son being radicalized, and that he would have arrested him himself if he knew he was going to attack people.

“I didn’t notice that he’s radicalized,” Mateen said. “Based on what I know, the definition of radicalized, you should have a big beard, long coat and just attend what he likes to attend. But he was working, he was taking care of his family. So I don’t know what happened that triggered this action. I wish he was alive, I could ask him that. Why did he do [it], and why did you harm other people?”
Story continues below advertisement

He also said that his son was not “upset” after seeing two gay men kiss.

“Well it was a normal reaction, that he got,” said Mateen. “He got surprised.”

Seddique Mateen however added that he did not get upset by the sight himself, and that people were free to do what they wanted.

“Why should I get mad? I never got mad because it’s a free country, everybody has his own choice, to do whatever the law allows him,” said Mateen.

He said the attack had nothing to do with religion or background, and that the shooting was “unforgivable”.

Sponsored content

AdChoices