The man allegedly behind the largest mass shooting in American history purchased his weapons from a gun dealer and shooting range whose owner has in the past posted anti-Muslim and anti-President Obama comments on Facebook, the New York Daily News reported.
ATF Agent Sal van Susteren confirmed to the New York Daily News that accused Orlando shooter Omar Mateen purchased the weapons he used in the weekend’s massacre at St. Lucie Shooting Center, not far from Mateen’s apartment in Fort Pierce, Florida.
The New York Daily News reported that the store’s owner, Ed Henson, an ex-NYPD officer, had posted on Facebook in December a meme that said, “F— Islam, F— Allah. F— Muhammad. F— the Koran. F— people who support terrorism,” as well as a comment in November calling for Obama to be “handcuffed, removed from Office and charged with Treason and then publicly executed!”
“How can the American People and military stand by and do nothing while this piece of sh– puts everyone of us in danger,” the post said.
Henson has spoken to the press in the past in favor of expanded gun rights.
A man answering the phone at St. Lucie Shooting Center on Sunday would not comment to TPM when asked if Mateen’s weapons were purchased there, except to say that “our thoughts and prayers are with the victims.”
