Orlando gunman frequented Pulse nightclub and used gay dating app for years before massacre
Orlando massacre gunman frequented the gay nightclub where dozens of people were gunned down, and he also used a gay dating app, new reports reveal.
Club patrons have reported seeing security guard Omar Mateen at the Pulse nightclub on multiple occasions before Sunday morning when he opened fire and killed at least 49 people, and injured 53 more, before he was killed by a SWAT team.
At least four men have recognised Omar Mateen as a regular at gay club Pulse where he shot and killed 49 people and injured 53 more.
A club regular said he had spotted Mr Mateen at the venue “at least a dozen times” before the shooting, while at least three others reported seeing him there before Sunday, The Orlando Sentinel reported.
“Sometimes he would go over in the corner and sit and drink by himself,'” Ty Smith said.
“Other times he would get so drunk he was loud and belligerent,” he added.
The claims of Mr Mateen’s drinking habits contradict his strict Muslim faith.
“We didn't really talk to him a lot, but I remember him saying things about his dad at times,” Mr Smith said.
Detective begin the investigation at Pulse nightclub. Photo: Reuters
“He told us he had a wife and child.”
Another nightclub regular Cord Cedeno told the Orlando Sentinel Mr Mateen was a regular at Pulse.
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"It was definitely him. He'd come in for years, and people knew him," Cedeno said.
Another patron said he witnessed violent outbursts by Mr Mateen.
Details hae emerged of the gunman's final standoff with police. Photo: Getty
Omar Mateen is seen taking selfies and wearing New York Police Department shirts.
Pulse regular Kevin West told the Los Angeles Times Mr Mateen had communicated with him on gay dating app Jack'd off and on in the year leading up to the attack.
He claims he only saw him in person crossing the road outside Pulse bout 1am - an hour before the shooting.
“He walked directly past me. I said, ‘Hey,’ and he turned and said, ‘Hey,’ and nodded his head,” Mr West said.
As soon as he saw pictures of the shooter in news reports he handed his phone and dating app login details to police who are trying to piece together Mr Mateen’s movements leading up to the shooting.
Mr Mateen’s first wife Sitora Yusufiy said her ex-husband turned violent after they became married and she divorced him in in 2011.
“After a few months he started to beat me,” she said.
“He was mentally unstable… he was obviously disturbed. I know he had a history of [taking] steroids.”
People gather at a vigil in solidarity for the victims of the Orlando nightclub mass shooting at Taylor Square. Photo: AAP
He was married to second wife Noor Zahi Salman at the time of the massacre, but the pair were living in separate homes.
Mr Mateen told a 911 dispatcher he was attacking Pulse on behalf of the Islamic State, however the gunman’s father Seddique Mir Mateen denied the rampage was motivated by religion, instead said his son was angered after seeing two men kissing weeks earlier.
