UPDATE
FBI says Orlando massacre wasn't a 'hate crime'
On June 21, 2016, Attorney Gen. Loretta Lynch held a press conference in Orlando.
On behalf of the Justice Dept.’s investigation, Lynch delivered remarks, describing the Pulse massacre as an “act of hatred.”
On behalf of the Justice Dept.’s investigation, Lynch delivered remarks, describing the Pulse massacre as an “act of hatred.”
However, FBI guidelines dictate that empirical evidence must exist in order to classify a criminal act as anti-gay.
Despite many unsubstantiated rumors and the fact that Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to ISIS, which is known to condemn homosexuality, not one particle of empirical evidence — receipt, text message, computer file, surveillance footage, recorded call or hook-up app — was unearthed by investigators that confirms Mateen targeted any individuals because of their gender or sexuality.
Instead, the facts point in another direction.
Eyewitness and Pulse survivor Patience Carter, who identifies as a lesbian, was confronted by Mateen during the rampage.
Despite many unsubstantiated rumors and the fact that Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to ISIS, which is known to condemn homosexuality, not one particle of empirical evidence — receipt, text message, computer file, surveillance footage, recorded call or hook-up app — was unearthed by investigators that confirms Mateen targeted any individuals because of their gender or sexuality.
Instead, the facts point in another direction.
Eyewitness and Pulse survivor Patience Carter, who identifies as a lesbian, was confronted by Mateen during the rampage.
Carter testified that Mateen spoke to her, telling Carter he'd spare Carter’s life because she was black.
According to Carter, Mateen said, “I don't have a problem with black people …. This is about my country. You guys suffered enough."
Attorney Gen. Lynch’s description as an “act of hatred” is confusing and misleading.
It would be reasonable to question if Lynch's words — "act of hatred" instead of "hate crime" — were intentionally misleading.
However, the facts are clear.
According to the 2016 Uniform Crime Report — the criminal-data system, which measures crime for the FBI — not one death nor assault from the Orlando massacre was reported as a hate crime.
According to Carter, Mateen said, “I don't have a problem with black people …. This is about my country. You guys suffered enough."
Attorney Gen. Lynch’s description as an “act of hatred” is confusing and misleading.
It would be reasonable to question if Lynch's words — "act of hatred" instead of "hate crime" — were intentionally misleading.
However, the facts are clear.
According to the 2016 Uniform Crime Report — the criminal-data system, which measures crime for the FBI — not one death nor assault from the Orlando massacre was reported as a hate crime.
Was the Orlando Gunman Gay? The Answer Continues to Elude FBI
Omar Mateen, (via MySpace).
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Although federal officials have said that the Orlando gunman, Omar Mateen, was radicalized at least to some extent, at least half a dozen men have come forward to report that they had seen Mr. Mateen at gay clubs encountered him online, or had romantic encounters with him.
F.B.I. investigators, who have conducted more than 500 interviews in the case, are continuing to contact men who claim to have had sexual relations with Mr. Mateen or think they saw him at gay bars. But so far, they have not found any independent corroboration — through his web searches, emails or other electronic data — to establish that he was, in fact, gay, officials said. New York Times, Jun. 25, 2016. |
