Police Searching Florida Home of Orlando Mass Shooting Suspect Searching for Answers

What to Know

  • Federal and state officials are searching the home of Orlando mass shooting suspect Omar Mateen.
  • The 29 year old opened fire inside a night club, killing 49 and shooting 53 others before police shot and killed him.

In a normally quiet town less than an hour north of West Palm Beach, local and state police are joined by federal agencies in the search of the home belonging to Orlando mass shooting gunmen Omar Mateen.

Just hours after Mateen opened fire inside a crowded club, killing at least 49 and shooting dozens more, officials came to his home in Fort Pierce looking for answers.

The 29 year old had been a security guard in the area and had a three year old son. Those around the area who knew him are shocked to find out Mateen would do such a horrible thing.

“He used to hang out, he would never shoot anybody or kill anybody. That's crazy,” said one nearby resident.

The FBI searched the home of Mateen’s father in nearby Port St. Luice, leaving with bags of items they collected. Mateen first came on the agency’s radar in 2013, when he was investigated following remarks made to a co-worker that indicated possible ties to terror groups.

The FBI said there was no threat and closed that case, as well as a later case with possible ties to a suicide bomber.

Mateen was said to have attended a local mosque three to four times a week, according to a local Imam who spoke with NBC 6. He said the FBI had visited the mosque and Fort Pierce Islamic Center in recent years, but not specifically to ask about Manteen.

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