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Orlando gunman said 'I did the shooting' in police call Orlando gunman said 'I’m an Islamic soldier' in police call
(about 1 hour later)
A partial transcript of the calls between police negotiators and the gunman who killed 49 people at an Orlando nightclub has been released. The gunman who killed 49 people at an Orlando nightclub described himself as an Islamic soldier in calls made to police during the attack.
Omar Mateen identified himself as an Islamic soldier and told the police "I'm in Orlando and I did the shootings" during the three-hour siege. A partial transcript of the calls between police negotiators and Omar Mateen during the three-hour siege have been released by the FBI.
He also mentioned the Boston bombings and France terror attacks during further calls to the police dispatcher. The 29-year-old mentioned the war in Syria and the France terror attacks during calls to the 911 dispatcher.
Mateen died in a shootout with police after authorities stormed the building.Mateen died in a shootout with police after authorities stormed the building.
They said in a press conference on Monday that after initially exchanging fire with him when they arrived, there was then no additional gunfire during the three-hour stand-off. The FBI said Mateen spoke to a dispatcher twice during three phone calls made about 30 minutes after he began the attack.
The FBI said Mateen, 29, spoke to a 911 dispatcher twice during three phone calls made about 30 minutes after he opened fire inside the building.
Mateen allegedly made the calls while he held more than a dozen people hostage at the venue.Mateen allegedly made the calls while he held more than a dozen people hostage at the venue.
The first call (see below) lasted about 50 seconds.The first call (see below) lasted about 50 seconds.
Police: Emergency 911, this is being recorded.Police: Emergency 911, this is being recorded.
Mateen; In the name of God the Merciful, the beneficial [in Arabic]Mateen; In the name of God the Merciful, the beneficial [in Arabic]
Police: What?Police: What?
Mateen: Praise be to God, and prayers as well as peace be upon the prophet of God [in Arabic]. I let you know, I'm in Orlando and I did the shootings.Mateen: Praise be to God, and prayers as well as peace be upon the prophet of God [in Arabic]. I let you know, I'm in Orlando and I did the shootings.
Police: What's your name?Police: What's your name?
Mateen: My name is I pledge of allegiance to [omitted].Mateen: My name is I pledge of allegiance to [omitted].
Police: Ok, What's your name?Police: Ok, What's your name?
Mateen: I pledge allegiance to [omitted] may God protect him [in Arabic], on behalf of [omitted].Mateen: I pledge allegiance to [omitted] may God protect him [in Arabic], on behalf of [omitted].
Police: Alright, where are you at?Police: Alright, where are you at?
Mateen: In Orlando.Mateen: In Orlando.
Police: Where in Orlando?Police: Where in Orlando?
[End of call].[End of call].
Mateen then spoke with Orlando police's Crisis Negotiation Team three times after the first call. Mateen then spoke to Orlando police's Crisis Negotiation Team three times after the first call.
During these communications, Mateen identified himself as an "Islamic soldier".During these communications, Mateen identified himself as an "Islamic soldier".
An FBI spokesman told reporters Mateen spoke in a "chilling, calm and deliberate manner."
He said there was no evidence that a foreign terrorist group was behind the shooting and that Mateen was likely radicalised domestically.
The groups and people to whom Mateen pledged allegiance were omitted from the excerpt. The FBI had previously said he pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the so-called Islamic State.
Republican US House Speaker Paul Ryan criticised the decision to redact the transcript as "preposterous".
Officials said the reason was to not give credence to individuals who are responsible for previous terrorist attacks and to prevent inspiring future tragedies.
He told the negotiator to tell America to stop bombing Syria and Iraq and that was why he was "out here right now".He told the negotiator to tell America to stop bombing Syria and Iraq and that was why he was "out here right now".
"There is some vehicle outside that has some bombs, just to let you know," Mateen continued. "You people are gonna get it and I'm gonna ignite it if they try to do anything stupid." The gunman later said he had a vest, describing it as the kind they "used in France".
The gunman later said he had a vest, describing it as the kind they "used in France". He added that "In the next few days, you're going to see more of this type of action going on", before hanging up.
The FBI said it would not release audio of Mateen's 911 calls out of respect for the victims and their families.
At about 4:21 am, police removed an air conditioning unit from a Pulse dressing room window to help victims escape.At about 4:21 am, police removed an air conditioning unit from a Pulse dressing room window to help victims escape.
Some of those rescued told police the shooter said he was going to put four vests with bombs on victims within 15 minutes, according to the FBI. Some of those rescued told police the gunman said he was going to put four bomb vests on victims within 15 minutes but no such vests were found.
Police found no vests or improvised explosive devices after searching Mateen's car. Members of a swat team stormed the building at about 05:00 local time, exchanging fire with Mateen before he was killed.
Members of a swat team stormed the building at about 5 am, exchanging fire with Mateen before he was reported down over radio communications. During the three-hour stand-off, there was no additional gunfire, police said.
The release comes a day after thousands of people descended on downtown Orlando to remember the victims in a candlelight vigil. The transcript release comes a day after thousands of people descended on downtown Orlando to remember the victims in a candlelight vigil.
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