Salman had told federal agents that she tried to dissuade Mateen from carrying out the attack, American news channel NBC News reported. However, she also admitted to driving him to Pulse – the nightclub where Mateen carried out the three-hour-long carnage – because he wanted to do a preliminary survey of the place.
Moreover, Mateen's high school classmates said on Tuesday that he was happy when he learned of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center towers, according to reports. "The day 9/11 happened, he was acting like he was a plane and then made an explosion sound and fell into the seat. He was happy and excited. Everyone else was depressed, and he was the opposite," Robert Zirkle said.
Another classmate, Mike, recalled similar observations. He was in class with Mateen on the day of the deadly attacks on the twin towers. He said Mateen had claimed Osama bin Laden was his uncle.
Investigators are now looking into the contents of Mateen's cellphone and other electronic devices to confirm whether he had allegiance to any terror outfit. Mateen had made a 911 call during the attack to profess his allegiance to various militant groups, including the Islamic State. But federal investigators still have no evidence that he received instructions or aid from any militant group.
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