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Gun shop owner says he reported Omar Mateen before Orlando jihad massacre

Jun 16, 2016 5:53 pm By Robert Spencer

Whoever got this report did nothing with it, even though Mateen was trying to buy body armor, which should have been enough of a tipoff that something was amiss, especially for someone with a history like Mateen’s. Did the person who got the report fear that acting upon it would bring down charges of “Islamophobia”?

Robbie Abell

“Gun shop owner claims he reported Omar Mateen BEFORE Orlando massacre and turned him away when he came to buy heavy duty armor and bulk ammo,” by Mia De Graaf, Dailymail.com, June 16, 2016:

A gun store owner reported Orlando shooter Omar Mateen to authorities weeks before he committed the worst mass shooting in US history.

Robbie Abell, co-owner of Lotus Gunworks, told the Wall Street Journal Mateen came into the store in South Florida in May and asked for heavy-duty body armor like the kind used by law enforcement.

Staff at the store, which does not sell body armor, felt it was a strange demand.

After his request was denied, Mateen asked to buy bulk ammunition.

Though Lotus does sell ammunition, staff shut down his request and refused to sell him anything else.

They subsequently reported the incident to the FBI, Abell said.

Mateen had already been investigated by the FBI years before.

But even after Abell’s report, the 29-year-old self-radicalized gunman obtained an AR-15 and a semiautomatic pistol from another store in the area, bought stacks of ammunition, then opened fire on Pulse nightclub, where he killed 49 people and wounded 53.

On “self-radicalized,” see here.

The store’s owner Robbie Abell told the Journal: ‘The questions he was asking were not the normal questions a normal person would be asking…He just seemed very odd.’

Abell also said Mateen was speaking to someone on the phone in Arabic and was walking around the store texting.

Mateen is of Afghan descent, where the official languages are Pashto and Dari. It is not clear how Abell’s staff deduced he was speaking Arabic.

Probably they assumed it was Arabic when it was something else.

He added that staff were on high alert since authorities has recently warned them to look out for suspicious activity in the area.

Abell did not specify which authorities gave this warning.

Port St Lucie police said they did not receive a report about Mateen’s suspicious behavior.

The FBI has yet to comment.

Once it emerged that Mateen was the perpetrator of the worst mass shooting in history, Abell said, Lotus staff instantly recognized him and reported their experience to the FBI….

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Filed Under: American jihadis, Featured, Jihad in the U.S. Tagged With: Lotus Gunworks, Omar Mateen, Robbie Abell


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Comments

  1. biff says

    Jun 16, 2016 at 5:59 pm

    He wasn’t speaking Arabic. He was speaking Aramaic because he was really a right wing Christian impersonating a lunatic Muslim just to make the whole religion look bad.

    I think the real crime the FBI needs to investigate is the charge of “impersonating a Democrat” when he joined the Democratic party.

    • Wellington says

      Jun 16, 2016 at 6:11 pm

      I compliment you on your sarcasm, biff. Well done.

    • Idania says

      Jun 16, 2016 at 6:16 pm

      I thing that he is from an afghan family, how can you say that he was Christian? Are you trying to confound someone.? You failed.

      • gravenimage says

        Jun 16, 2016 at 6:33 pm

        This is irony, Idania.

      • quotha raven says

        Jun 16, 2016 at 7:02 pm

        Idania – You missed Biff’s sarcasm. I believe he was making a wry joke.

        Cheers!

        quotha raven

    • Shane says

      Jun 17, 2016 at 11:19 am

      The only time liberals pray is after a mass shooting; they pray to God that the shooter is a White Christian! Most liberals will never admit that Islam is a violent and misogynistic religion either because they don’t care as muslims are their allies, or because they are cowards.

      Sam Harris and Bill Maher are two of the few left wingers with the guts and the sense to tell the truth about Islam being a violent, misogynistic religion. Two good videos – Sam Harris versus clueless Feminist Muhammad Apologist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JrYCHC0bkE
      Sam Harris: Islam is Violent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9yug4o6G08

      • quotha raven says

        Jun 17, 2016 at 4:49 pm

        to Shane, who sez “Most liberals will never admit that Islam is a violent and misogynistic religion either because they don’t care as muslims are their allies, or because they are cowards.”

        Or maybe they are incapable of rational thought. You know. Like “stupid”?

        Cheers!

        quotha raven

    • Angemon says

      Jun 17, 2016 at 11:28 am

      I believe you have it wrong, biff. It was not Aramaic but Hebrew because, as everyone knows, any and all muslim terror attacks are always done by DA JOOOOOOSSS! 😉

  2. linnte says

    Jun 16, 2016 at 5:59 pm

    Wow! So glad he turned him away, and good for him for at least coming out with it. Maybe the next time, someone will speak before another incident happens.

    • biff says

      Jun 16, 2016 at 6:05 pm

      Imagine how many regular calls the police and FBI get from cases of “Muslim profiling”. Simply because they are reported and the person is Muslim, they cannot even look into it really.

      Imagine if 80%% of these reported cases are Muslims. To Obama that mean that the public is racist. They are not reporting the proper rainbow of religions he demands.

      The FBI have to skew the numbers but picking and choosing what to actually investigate.

      Investinging white male Christians is paramount so they can offset the huge numbers of problematic Muslims in the USA for their reporting.

    • quotha raven says

      Jun 16, 2016 at 7:25 pm

      To Linnte, who says “Maybe the next time, someone will speak before another incident happens.”

      This gunshop guy from whom Mateen tried to buy bulk ammunition and body armor in Orlando DID report Mateen’s behavior to authorities prior to the attack.. No one followed up. I believe he made the report 3 days before the shooting. It seems Mateen legally changed his name a few years back, so that might be a contributing factor, but it doesn’t occur to me to call law enforcement alert or “perky”.

      And don’t forget: when Obama was elected president, the first thing he did was order the FBI – or was it the DHS? – to destroy ALL its data base they’d collected on terrorist threats and personnel since 9/11. Our government took the best tool to fight terrorism we have – intelligence: analyzed and categorized data – away from law enforcement at all levels and trashed it, crippling investigative potential.

      Also don’t forget that Obama ordered all references to jihad, Islam, Muslims, etc, REMOVED from all training manuals and materials for law enforcement at all levels. These are blindingly obvious acts of a president determined to bring America down. And Hillary is just as evil and corrupt, if not moreso. Look what they accomplished in Libya, starting some while before the Benghazi atrocity and continuing, relentlessly growing, until today! Now we are giving BILLIONS of US taxpayer dollars to Libya, central headquarters for ISIS!

      Cheers!

      quotha raven

      • Cecilia Ellis says

        Jun 16, 2016 at 7:55 pm

        QR, you are correct. Patrick Haney, a 15-year employee of DHS, left DHS for the very reason that he and other staff were required to destroy files. Coincidentally, he had a guest appearance on FoxNews in the past couple of days. Here is an article which describes what happened:

        http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/dhs-isis-destroy-records/2016/02/06/id/713047/

        • quotha raven says

          Jun 16, 2016 at 8:55 pm

          Thank you, Cecelia, for refreshing my memory with that link from Fox News. That is exactly what I was referring to, though I was a little foggy. I hope this report reaches a lot of Americans. The time for a wake-up call about where our government stands is long past.

          Cheers!

          quotha raven

        • Cecilia Ellis says

          Jun 16, 2016 at 9:18 pm

          QR, I just remembered the name of the guest on FoxNews: Phillip Haney, the author of the book, “See Something, Say Nothing.” Patrick Haney is the name of the DHS employee about whom the article, at the link I provided above, is written. What a coincidence! Both DHS employees left for the same reason . . . Both with the same last name.

    • Carolyne says

      Jun 17, 2016 at 5:23 pm

      I’m glad he turned him away and reported it, but if Mateen were still alive, would he be invited to the White House, given thousands of dollars of high tech equipment, Invited to the United Nations and MIT? Would Mr. Abell be sued for ten million dollars.

      I wonder if the clock boy is enjoying living in Qattar? Last I heard they wanted to come back to the US.

  3. quotha raven says

    Jun 16, 2016 at 6:06 pm

    Stop with the “self-radicalized” already. Such a stretch. A term, like “domestic terrorism” and “lone wolf”, solely invented for Islamist apologists.

    This would include our president who, after knowing of the perp’s 911 call claiming allegiance to ISIS, insists that he remains totally puzzled as to what motivated this dead Muslim terrorist.

    Cheers!

    quotha raven

  4. Cecilia Ellis says

    Jun 16, 2016 at 6:19 pm

    Another overwhelming example of the success of that “If you see something, say something” program . . .

    • Carolyne says

      Jun 17, 2016 at 5:25 pm

      Not wanting to be sued for ten million dollars, I probably wouldn’t report it. I don’t care if I were called an Islamaphobe but the money part would hurt.

  5. Idania says

    Jun 16, 2016 at 6:21 pm

    Blaming islamophobia will not help to avoid terrorism.

  6. abad says

    Jun 16, 2016 at 6:22 pm

    “Mateen is of Afghan descent, where the official languages are Pashto and Dari. It is not clear how Abell’s staff deduced he was speaking Arabic.

    Probably they assumed it was Arabic when it was something else.”

    Erm, this is FLORIDA.

    No, not everyone is going to know Arabic from Dari from Pashto. They just aren’t.

    And the only reason I’d be familiar with Pashto is from working for Rosetta Stone for a year.

    Duh.

    On a lighter note, good for Abell in turning this Ishnaq away. He did right.

  7. Richard says

    Jun 16, 2016 at 6:23 pm

    I witnessed a gun store deny to sell ammo once, it was a thing of beauty. A couple of young black men walked in the store. Pants on the ground, speaking in unintelligible ebonics. They went to the table where ammo was for sale and each of them handled several different boxes of ammo. Finally one of them picked up a single box of 9mm and handed it to the other. They took it to the fellow at the register and I was next in line. The cashier told them he needed to see id to prove they were over 18 and the guy holding the box of cartridges showed his id. Then the cashier told the other guy he needed to see his id too, since he had handled the ammo. That fellow said he wasn’t yet 18. The cashier apologized and told the two that they couldn’t buy the ammo because state law prohibited sales to minors and explained that the store was often watched by ATF for compliance. The two left the store grumbling.

    When I got up to the register to buy all of the 45 acp they had, about 5 boxes, the cashier said to me, “Who buys ONE box of ammo? Look at those guys, ammo used in the next drive by shooting is NOT coming from this store.” He was right, it was a good read. This is a gun store with a healthy number of black customers, some in LE, and every customer gets treated with respect but those two guys had gangsta written all over them and I thought the cashier acted responsibly.

    • biff says

      Jun 16, 2016 at 6:32 pm

      Unfortunately common sense has been criminalized.

      Legally it’s better off to sell the bullets to the gang members for drive by then get saddled with a billion dollar lawsuit for racial discrimination, threats of jail time etc.

      It’s all a vicious cycle.

      Bring in more “Crazy Muzzies”. Demand the need for more invasive govt to monitor the population.

      Dealing with the problem of Islamic jihad is not in the best interest of the USA govt.

      Every attack becomes another push for gun control and ever encroaching govt surveillance, monitoring etc.

      The left is counting on more attacks to help them advance their agenda.

      • Tommy says

        Jun 16, 2016 at 7:08 pm

        The Weather Underground, Science Czar, mandated abortions, killing of elderly and cancer kids, sterilents in drinking water, re-education camps…list goes on and on

        • Tommy says

          Jun 16, 2016 at 7:11 pm

          Obama’s science czar also wrote that children up to two-years old can be killed(cuz they’re not human yet)…ppl should research that science czar…..that’s why we need all kinds of guns….including ak47 and ar15 etc…

        • Tommy says

          Jun 16, 2016 at 7:23 pm

          THIS IS WHY WE NEED GUNS http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/21/obamas-science-czar-considered-forced-abortions-sterilization-population-growth.html

        • linnte says

          Jun 17, 2016 at 1:35 am

          This is the New World Order. It’s what many want, and see as the only way to preserve the human species. It’s all about resources and who controls them, and humans are also considered a resource. It’s been in the works for a long time now. Most Western Governments are beginning to make this happen, unbeknownst to third world countries, especially Muslim countries whos people are so dumbed down by Islam and poverty. The goal of Islam fits right into the scheme of the NWO. Once complete world domination reaches its goal, Islamic culture will be forced into submission also. Can’t have Taqyyia wielding Muslims subverting the NWO now can we? So being Anti Jihad, and anti NWO go hand in hand.

    • linnte says

      Jun 16, 2016 at 7:24 pm

      There is one good aspect of the “gangstas” having their pockets around their calves. They can’t put heavy objects in those pockets or their pants would really BE around their ankles. Hahahahaha!

      • Richard says

        Jun 17, 2016 at 12:36 am

        I live in a suburb of Los Angeles so I get to see lots of the gangsta culture, especially during morning commute at the crosswalk nearest the high school. You get to see a varied selection of boxer shorts with the pants on the ground thing and when they are worn more than half way down the ass the kids have to walk with their legs splayed wide to keep their pants up.

        • linnte says

          Jun 17, 2016 at 1:39 am

          How ridiculous! What happens if these knuckleheads need to RUN? hahahahaha! Talk about a behavior contrary to survival!

        • Cecilia Ellis says

          Jun 17, 2016 at 1:52 am

          A lot of policemen and deputies have told me that it’s fun to watch suspects trying to run from a scene . . . either falling in the attempt or holding up their pants with one hand . . . as the K-9 chases them down. Makes their job so much easier . . .

  8. gravenimage says

    Jun 16, 2016 at 6:27 pm

    Gun shop owner says he reported Omar Mateen before Orlando jihad massacre
    ……………………..

    Yes–I just heard this. I wish *all* Infidels were as sharp as Robbie Abell–including those at the FBI.

  9. Champ says

    Jun 16, 2016 at 6:39 pm

    Mateen is of Afghan descent, where the official languages are Pashto and Dari. It is not clear how Abell’s staff deduced he was speaking Arabic.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Pashto and Dari? Of course! Doesn’t everyone know that? / sarc

  10. Tommy says

    Jun 16, 2016 at 7:05 pm

    If a white person tried to buy all that stuff and then got reported to the FBI, action would have been taken!

    • Carolyne says

      Jun 17, 2016 at 5:29 pm

      Likely the white person’s home would be surrounded by swat teams within ten minutes.

  11. Jeremiah says

    Jun 16, 2016 at 7:07 pm

    The changing rules at the FBI have endangered all Americans and allowed Jihad to flourish. That is what was intended by Obama. Obama is the enemy. Don’t be so naive. Claire Lopez, former CIA, says that Obama is a Muslim Brotherhood operative. Everything he does is consistent with that.

    • common sense says

      Jun 16, 2016 at 8:31 pm

      Precisely why we must route the MB out and every other Muslim political group. This is so fubar its worse than anything I could have possibly imagined.

  12. common sense says

    Jun 16, 2016 at 8:28 pm

    “Reasonable suspicion” is enough for “probable cause”. Send the local Sheriff if the FBI thinks they too busy.

  13. Guest says

    Jun 16, 2016 at 8:43 pm

    So that’s it. We follow theDemocrats laws and they just sit on their asses doing nothing.
    Vote for Trump

  14. Ver Auger says

    Jun 17, 2016 at 4:37 am

    Once upon a time, there once was a Magical Kingdom, where kids could enjoy the rides and amusements in comfort and safety. Why, even the lakes were man-made, so they could be kept clear of alligators. But then, the Lunatics decided to make it illegal to shoot big gators, even on your own property. So, one of these big gators ate a small kid one day and guess what? The Lunatics blamed the kid’s parents (even though they were visitors from a distant state and had trusted the safety of the Kingdom) and the Lunatics vowed never to stop protecting giant hungry aggressive alligators, no matter how many children were eaten by them. The End (of our civilization). Why did I post this here? I am terrified to speak openly and I know you understand parables. Lunacy is a mental disorder.

  15. Politicallyincorrectistruth says

    Jun 17, 2016 at 5:15 am

    If this report of the gun shop owner reporting the attempted purchase of heavy armor to the FBI is correct, then the FBI have a lot to answer for. How easy would it be for it to work like this…….
    FBI receives report of attempt to buy heavy armor.
    FBI operator puts name into computer and see`s file is marked with a list of red flags that would call for immediate re-opening of file to active status, one of which is purchase or attempt to purchase weapons/ammo/equipment.
    Local FBI are given call for urgent action.
    Local FBI then find him and interview him again, with further action to be decided.

    This short interview may well have been enough to stop him from carrying out the Orlando massacre.
    It would make him rethink that the FBI are watching him closely.

  16. Roha Waha says

    Jun 17, 2016 at 8:12 am

    I live in Stuart Fl , Lotus Gun Works is just a few miles away , the men and women who work there are good people and American Patriots. Palm Beach is 20 miles to the South, has several large Mosque.
    I keep seeing more and more Muslims. I served in the Middle East and I wanted to know their motivation
    so I bought a translated copy of the Q’uran . The Quran is the Terrorist Instruction and Justification manual Islam , you don’t need to live in a Middle Eastern country or go to a Mosque.WE must keep this modern day version of Nazism claiming to be a religion out of our country or it will destroy it from within.

    • linnte says

      Jun 20, 2016 at 6:14 pm

      Spread the word Roha! Tell everyone you know. Be prepared for disbelief from friends and loss of some friendships. But tell it all!

  17. Matt says

    Jun 17, 2016 at 10:24 am

    To everyone questioning how they knew what language they were speaking. Lotus is a LARGE store and employs several veterans who saw time over in the sandbox. Quit trying to pick apart the story.

  18. ONTIME says

    Jun 17, 2016 at 2:31 pm

    B’Ob the “unknown” can stand at the lectern and blather his lies and misdirection all he wants, in this case it is clear the gov botched up on this loose screw and let him free to roam long enough to finally go berserk and kill 49 innocent people in a bar……B’Ob sez it’s a gun issue but the CIA, FBI, DHS and all other law enforcement agencies say he is just full of his own crap sandwiches ans probably one short of a six pack when trying to stun you with his refutable logic……….It is well known that B’Ob cannot pass E Verify…..

  19. Carolyne says

    Jun 17, 2016 at 5:35 pm

    It doesn’t matter what language he was speaking. The staff heard him speaking a foreign language and because he appeared middle eastern, they assumed it to be Arabic. This a point which makes no difference whatsoever. I applaud Mr. Abell and his staff for at least trying to take action. Too bad the FBI is not allowed to investigate Muslims, otherwise they would be investigating the one in the White House.

    • quotha raven says

      Jun 17, 2016 at 7:52 pm

      I wonder who he was talking to in a foreign language on the phone as he walked around in the gun store…

      Cheers!

      quotha raven

  20. Whatever says

    Jun 20, 2016 at 3:46 pm

    Some of the misinformation in this article.
    This store does sell body armor. At the time, they did not know it was Omar Mateen.

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