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 Sky News reporter clarified Mateen’s statement by asking, “It’s the club’s responsibility?”
Mateen also said he thought law enforcement officials arrived at the scene too late.
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“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
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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.
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”.
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