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Obama on Orlando: Too early to know “precise motivations of the killer”

Jun 12, 2016 3:20 pm By Robert Spencer

He pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and the Islamic State claimed responsibility. What could the motive possibly be? Will Obama amend his remarks and acknowledge that the motive is now perfectly clear? Don’t hold your breath.

obama-fbi

“Terror in Orlando: 50 killed in shooting rampage at gay club; gunman pledged allegiance to ISIS,” by Hayley Tsukayama, Adam Goldman, Peter Holley and Mark Berman, Washington Post, June 12, 2016:

ORLANDO — The gunman who opened fire inside a crowded nightclub here early Sunday morning, launching a rampage that killed 50 people and injured 53 others in the deadliest shooting spree in the country’s history, had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State before the attack, according to U.S. law enforcement officials.

President Obama said the FBI was investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism, an announcement he made about 12 hours after the gunfire began at Pulse, a popular gay bar and dance club.

“We know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate,” Obama said during remarks at the White House. “And as Americans, we are united in grief, in outrage, and in resolve to defend our people.”…

The gunman, identified as 29-year-old Omar Mateen, apparently made a 911 call before the attack identifying himself and pledging allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State, according to U.S. law enforcement officials who asked not to be identified to discuss the ongoing investigation.

Mateen also made a reference to the 2013 bombing of the Boston Marathon during this call, officials said. Much like Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the older of the two brothers who carried out that attack, Mateen had been the focus of an FBI investigation. Officials said Mateen was investigated by the FBI in 2014, but what triggered the probe and its scope were not immediately clear. The probe was closed the same year.

In a message Sunday, the Islamic State appeared to take credit for the attack, but it remains unclear if the gunman had any connections to the group or if they had any prior knowledge.

Police had said earlier Sunday that 20 people were killed before saying that the toll was significantly higher. Until Sunday, the 2007 rampage at Virginia Tech — which saw 32 people killed and 30 others injured — was the country’s worst mass shooting.

Orlando Police Chief John Mina said that the toll from this latest mass slaughter could have been even greater, saying that a SWAT team “rescued at least 30 possible victims and brought them to safety.” Police said they were not able to say if all of the people killed or injured were shot during the initial burst of gunfire at 2 a.m. or during the shootout with police three hours later….

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said he was briefed Sunday and told that local law enforcement officials said the gunman had “declared his allegiance to ISIS.”

A U.S. official said that Department of Homeland Security reports being circulated to government authorities are “referring to local law enforcement reports saying the shooter pledged loyalty to ISIS and was heard praying in another language in the nightclub.”…

The group said in a message posted Sunday by the Islamic State-linked Amaq News Agency that the Orlando shooting “was carried out by an Islamic State fighter.” The same news agency had released a message showing the Islamic State claiming some credit for the San Bernardino attack two days after that occurred, while Amaq posted a statement from the group asserting responsibility for the Brussels attacks in March within hours.

Ron Hopper of the FBI, the bureau leading the investigation, said Sunday they were still working to determine a motive. Hopper said officials had not found any indications of outside help, and added that they were confident there were no additional threats.

Also on Sunday, a man was detained in Santa Monica, Calif., by police while possessing weapons and dangerous material, police said. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said that they were investigating any possible link between this man and a Gay Pride Parade and Festival in West Hollywood on Sunday, though they added that there have been “no specific or credible threats” in the Los Angeles area.

Mateen’s ex-wife said that he was abusive, saying in an interview Sunday that he beat her repeatedly during their marriage. She said that during their brief marriage, Mateen, who was Muslim, was not very religious and gave no indications that he was devoted to radical Islam. (Mateen was from Fort Pierce, which is also where Moner Mohammad Abusalha, the first American to carry out a suicide attack in Syria, had lived in Florida.)

Mina said it appeared the gunman was armed with “a handgun and an AR-15-type assault rifle” and had additional rounds on him.

“It appears he was organized and well-prepared,” Mina said during another briefing….

Obama said it was too early to know “the precise motivations of the killer,” but he said the FBI would investigate any possible links the gunman had to terrorist groups….

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Filed Under: American jihadis, Barack Obama, Featured, Islamic State (aka ISIS, ISIL, Daesh), Jihad in the U.S. Tagged With: Omar Mateen, Orlando, Pulse


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Comments

  1. nicu says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 3:24 pm

    Ridiculous – he was a Muslim and that’s the motive !

    • Jerry says

      Jun 12, 2016 at 3:30 pm

      You said more in one sentence than I did in two large paragraphs. You’re a craftsman for truth. 🙂

    • VRWC member77 says

      Jun 12, 2016 at 3:42 pm

      I wonder if barry is curious about this:

      “Man arrested with guns, explosives headed to Los Angeles gay pride parade”

      http://www.kctv5.com/story/32202842/man-arrested-with-guns-explosives-headed-to-los-angeles-gay-pride-parade

      • Greyhound Fancier says

        Jun 12, 2016 at 4:14 pm

        Leftists continue their support of the Muslims, and then the Muslims go and slaughter these unfortunate people as a Ramadan offering to their moon god, allah.

        Please, people! Think about these barbarians you support. How can anyone in the Western world, especially gays and women, find any solidarity with the jihadists?

        Thanks be to God the man who planned to attack the Gay Pride parade was intercepted.

    • Westman says

      Jun 12, 2016 at 5:38 pm

      Who needs precision? It’s always the same primitive Ideology of conquest and martyrdom.

      http://creepingsharia.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/b5a1a8fiuaes1bb.jpg?w=952&h=636

  2. Jerry says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 3:27 pm

    We are at war with islam, obama is a moral coward. The mass killing and social chaos muslims are causing is as declarative as 1939, Poland. Nobody doubted Nazi motives and we shouldn’t doubt muslims’ either. Every thing about these people spells intolerance and conquest for allah, the enclaves, terrorism, the threatening riots, ISIS, murdering free speech, the rape of our women and children, hatred of our culture…it’s all part of their jihad mission against the infidel. But our leaders act like feckless liars for this 7th century cult of death. These weak appeasers refuse to confront the truth about islam’s jihad agenda, they refuse to take the appropriate steps to mitigate the threat. Instead they blame those who speak the truth about islam’s incitement to violence and the dangers it presents to our people and nation. We are bigots and islamophobes just because we stand in defense of our nation and human rights while everything bad in islam is tolerated with every manner of excuse and apology.

    That’s why I think Trump is right, no more muslim migrants. Build that wall, the world is way too unsafe with islam. Anti sharia laws would help, too. And no more mosques, that’s where they perpetuate their anti western sentiments and jihad doctrine. They may not always speak frankly about their conquering ambitions, but their jihad intentions are implicit in practically every important area of life. We have a right to defend ourselves from their self-proclaimed agenda of jihad war against us. The koran and muhammad means as much to muslims as Mein Kampf and Hitler meant to the Nazis, both ideologies built on murder, intolerance, and totalitarian in nature. You don’t have to believe me. Look at their religious books, listen to what the terrorists say when they kill us, learn of islam’s history, and it will be apparent that islam is a war machine that has killed millions and threatens the world’s peace. I’m an atheist, I don’t give a damn about their fake god. I want peace, freedom, and to preserve our national integrity and culture. Islam wants none of this.

    • Idania says

      Jun 12, 2016 at 3:35 pm

      No dear, Obama IS muslim and support JIHAD.

      • Jerry says

        Jun 12, 2016 at 3:44 pm

        I won’t argue with that, you may have the larger truth.

      • balam says

        Jun 12, 2016 at 4:31 pm

        You are absolutely right. Americans were very FOOLISH to put a Muslim in the White House whose loyalties have been with his Muslim Ummah which is ANTI JEWS AN CHRISTIANS .Americans have no choice ,now, but to suffer him for the rest of his term.Clinton will be the continuation of B-HUSSEIN-OBAMA policies.MAY GOD SAVE AMERICA!!!

    • Eur says

      Jun 12, 2016 at 3:40 pm

      The sad truth is that only began to take action when the dead William be the son or daughter of a politician or leader when Muslims exploit the Congress or the White House.

    • Greyhound Fancier says

      Jun 12, 2016 at 4:20 pm

      Interesting that the Muslims oppose having their mosques visited and monitored. If a Christian church were told that an FBI man would be attending weekly to monitor the church, it could be viewed as a chance to share the Gospel with the FBI agent.

      I would guess that the Muslims realize that if the G-man knows Arabic, the agent would get an earful that would incriminate the mosque. Duh!! All the more reason to monitor them. The mosques and imams are a seditious 5th column and the imams and mosque attendees should be deported back to the Islamic paradise of their choice if ever they are found to say or encourage anything to murder US citizens or institute sharia in place of the Constitution.

      • Jerry says

        Jun 12, 2016 at 6:57 pm

        Interesting that the Muslims oppose having their mosques visited and monitored.

        Yes, interesting and revealing. It shows where their true loyalties lie, they value their own culture and religion more than our lives and nation. If they truly were against islamic jihad they would welcome law enforcement’s efforts. But jihad is too embedded in their religious teachings and culture, any deeper inquiry would only accentuate that ugly truth. It would be like the mafia inviting the FBI to learn more about “this thing of ours.” Of course they don’t want that, it would be suicide.

    • Roderick MacUalraigll says

      Jun 12, 2016 at 7:57 pm

      Outstanding. Well said, Jerry.

  3. Diane Harvey says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 3:35 pm

    “Now look, guys, I gotta go. Three friends are waiting at the 1st hole.”

  4. Edgar Allen says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 3:37 pm

    Norwegian Islamic Leader Fahad Qureshi: All Muslims Believe in Death Penalty for Homosexuals

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeC2OLv_Fhw

    Muslim Imam Tells Gay He Should Be Killed: “The only difference among the Jurists is how that person should be killed.”

  5. jacques sabena says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 3:45 pm

    Our problem is we are just two damn civilised for our own good. From intelligence and satellite imagery we know exactly where Islamic State are holed up in the Middle East. If only someone would take the political decision to go in hard and deal with it in the only way these maniacs understand – with brute force. In a war (which this undoubtedly is) there is no way of avoiding civilian casualties, but thousands of leaflets warning the inhabitants of the towns that an attack is imminent, and to leave immediately, should be followed by a massive aerial bombardment. Drop bombs the size of family cars, flatten these towns and obliterate every trace of this monstrous cancer.

    • j_not_a says

      Jun 12, 2016 at 4:29 pm

      Can’t understand why they don’t turn Raqqa into a smouldering hole in the ground. That would be a good start.

    • balam says

      Jun 12, 2016 at 4:47 pm

      I agree 100%. Only TRUMP can do that JOB and save the world at large.

  6. Tom Davis says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 3:52 pm

    But he said “precise’. Your idea is certainly not “precise” enough.

  7. Gerald Mucci says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 3:53 pm

    When shooting involves cops, Obama is right on it. When it involves his Muslim buddies he has to think on it a few months.

  8. Guest says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 3:53 pm

    For the good of the country vote for anyone but Hillary!

  9. Peter Charles says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 3:58 pm

    Islam is the motive, and the Qur’an’s writings concerning homosexuality was the propellant. They are at war with us and have been since the Jefferson administration. It might be time to finish Stephen Decatur’s good start.

  10. abad says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 4:01 pm

    Obama really should keep his mouth shut – he is ignorant of the matter and refuses to acknowledge his precious Islam is the motive for incidents like this.

  11. Mach1Duck says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 4:01 pm

    JV Team 50+52, Home team 0…Who’s up next Mr. President?

  12. linnte says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 4:10 pm

    Well said EVERYONE!

  13. Mubarak says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 4:13 pm

    When will Sherlock Obama Holmes disclose to the puzzled dr. Watson the shocking finding, that the head of dr. Jekyll and the head mr. Hyde is connected to same body through the same neck, and that it is one and the same brain that operates this body?

    And when will the face of the cultivated dr. Jekyll twist permanently into his mr. Hyde alter-ego?

  14. Peter says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    Clearly, he didn’t get his Ramadan pre- or post-fasting wake up call.

  15. John Marst says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 5:09 pm

    A killer pledges allegiance to the Islamic State, and the Islamic State embraces the killer, but we don’t know about the killer’s motives? Formerly, and being charitable, one might have concluded that Obama is delusional or in denial or both, but now he is straight-up lying.

    We are truly living in a theater of the absurd.
    .

  16. Angemon says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 5:13 pm

    Obama said it was too early to know “the precise motivations of the killer,” but he said the FBI would investigate any possible links the gunman had to terrorist groups

    Obama needs to read those briefings…

  17. Warren Raymond says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 5:29 pm

    “We know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate,” Obama said during remarks at the White House. “And as Americans, we are united in grief, in outrage, and in resolve to defend our people.”…

    When Obama says “Our people” he means Muslims.

  18. somehistory says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 6:07 pm

    Motive. Police look/search for it when they are trying to find the perp. As in, “Who had the motive” to kill him/her/them Motive is a *starting point* in their investigation when the perp has not been seen or caught at the crime scene.
    Motives usually involve: money, sex, power, or all three. Many times, hate or sudden rage push the motive into action.
    After learning of motive and opportunity, the police make an arrest and the prosecutor indicts and when at trial, motive is portrayed as though it is *evidence* of guilt. Motive is not necessary to prove guilt.

    Actions such as this terror attack, when the perp has announced his *motive*…his *reasons*…and has been caught or as this guy, killed at the scene of the crime while the crime is in progress, the *motive* doesn’t need a search. The police don’t need to *investigate* to *find* a motive. The mass murderer told them on the call why he did it. He told the victims with his shouts.

    This so=called *search* for a *motive* is just as stalling tactic so more people will believe them when they say he had mental problems or was bullied, etc.

  19. The Remorseless Headsman says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 6:46 pm

    “He pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and the Islamic State claimed responsibility”

    At first glance, I thought they were referring to Obama..

    • Norger says

      Jun 12, 2016 at 7:05 pm

      Good one!

  20. boocat says

    Jun 12, 2016 at 7:57 pm

    What a lying, crypto-muslim sack of s**t this secretly gay communist really is. He offends me so profoundly I am simply incapable of articulating my true feelings about him.

    • Peter Charles says

      Jun 12, 2016 at 8:57 pm

      Well then Bob, it is good that you held back your opinion! I find myself in a similar position bout the fifth point of contact holding the W. H. hostage for 5 more months.

  21. Khushi says

    Jun 13, 2016 at 5:30 am

    For obama, the motivation will be anything but islam 🙁

  22. Tony46 says

    Jun 13, 2016 at 8:13 am

    Let me help you Barry: they call it Sharia.

  23. c matt says

    Jun 13, 2016 at 10:49 am

    Funny – with Trayvon Martin he certainly did not think the day after was too early to know the motivation.

  24. Manuele says

    Jun 20, 2016 at 5:19 am

    I say that these people (from OBAMA to any country leader denying that it’s ISLAM/MUSLIMS IS THE CAUSE OF ALL THESE MASS MURDERING) still looking for excuses to find somebody else to pin these mass murdering of the people in the USA as well as other part of the world are actually having their heads shoved up their backsides is one reason these senseless killing continues. When these nutcases murder people and yell ALLAHU AKBAR, who are they calling to, a CAMELS BACKSIDE?

  25. paul says

    Jun 23, 2016 at 8:04 am

    I can help! You must read the koran over Ramadan and you are told to kill the infidel. Its an act of devotion to Allah, and obomba well knows all this! Watch the Glaznov gang with Robert Spencer.

    Obomba cannot name the motive as he is a follower of this.

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