Orlando gunman likely 'radicalized' through internet, US says

Omar Mateen, the perpetrator of the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, had expressed support for multiple armed Islamist movements and people, which "adds a little bit to the confusion about his motives," FBI Director James Comey said.

Mateen, 29, the U.S.-born son of Afghan immigrants, was fatally shot by police who stormed Orlando's Pulse club with armored cars after a three-hour siege.

"So far, we see no indication that this was a plot directed from outside the United States and we see no indication that he was part of any kind of network," Comey said in Washington. "We're highly confident this killer was radicalized at least in some part through the internet."

The FBI investigated Mateen for 10 months starting in 2013 but found no evidence of a crime or connection with a militant group. During 911 calls during the rampage, Mateen mentioned support for violent Islamist extremists.

Islamic State, which controls territory in Iraq and Syria, reiterated on Monday a claim of responsibility, although it offered no signs to indicate coordination with the gunman.

The rampage reverberated on the presidential campaign trail, where Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, likely opponents in the Nov. 8 election, clashed over how to confront violent Islamist extremists.

Trump proposed suspending immigration to the United States from countries with a history of terrorism against America, Europe or U.S. allies, while Clinton warned against demonizing Muslims and called for tougher gun safety measures.

The Orlando killings followed the massacre of 14 people in San Bernardino, California, last year and raised the question of whether the United States would have to confront jihadist attacks in the homeland for years to come.

Comey said tracking lone wolf attackers like Mateen was like finding "needles in a nationwide haystack" while also trying to work out what kind of people could become radicalized.

The Florida rampage began about 2 a.m. on June 12 (0600 GMT) when the club was packed with some 350 revelers at a Latin music night. Many fled as the gunman raked the crowd with bullets from an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle and a pistol.

An initial wave of officers charged into the club and trapped Mateen in a bathroom, Orlando Police Chief John Mina told reporters. That allowed many patrons to flee, although others were trapped in the restroom with Mateen, leading to a standoff.

"We were able to save and rescue dozens and dozens of people," Mina said. Police negotiated with Mateen for about three hours before breaking a hole in the wall, which allowed hostages to escape.

Mateen also emerged from the hole and was shot to death by officers, police said.

Officials said on June 12 the death toll was 50. On June 13, they clarified that the figure included Mateen. Some 53 people were wounded and 29 remain hospitalized at Orlando Regional Medical Center, the hospital said on Twitter.