June 22, 2016
Orlando Gunman's Alleged Ex-Lover Speaks Out, Says Shooting Triggered By 'Revenge'
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
A man who said he was once the lover of Omar Mateen, the Orlando gunman who carried out the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history at gay nightclub earlier this month, is speaking out, saying the killer's motive may have been sparked by "revenge" and that he specifically targeted Latino men.
In an interview with Univision anchor Maria Elena Salinas, the man, only identified as Miguel, said he met Omar Mateen on the gay hookup app Grindr. The FBI investigated Mateen, who killed 49 people when he opened fire at the gay nightclub Pulse on June 12, over his use of online dating sites, looking for relationships with both men and women.
In his interview, Miguel said Mateen was gay and labeled their relationship as "friends with benefits." He said their sexual relationship lasted about two months and they met at a hotel in Orlando between 15 and 20 times.
Miguel went on to say he believes Mateen intentionally targeted Latinos to seek revenge after being rejected by Puerto Ricans, saying he did not think the attack was an act of terrorism. It should be noted the FBI says Mateen called 911 and posted to Facebook, pledging his allegiance to ISIS during the shooting.
Miguel added Mateen was upset after being with a Puerto Rican man, who Mateen later learned was HIV-positive.
"He [Mateen] was terrified that he was infected," he said. "I asked him, 'Did you do a test?' Yes. He went to the pharmacy and did the test ... it came out negative but it doesn't come out right away. It takes 4, 5 months. When I asked him what he was going to do now, his answer was, 'I'm going to make them pay for what they did to me.'"
Miguel added: "He hated gay Puerto Ricans for all the stuff he did to him. I believe this crazy horrible thing he did was for revenge."
Miguel claims the gunman's wife knew Mateen was gay and his father forced him into an arranged marriage. He said he discussed religion with Mateen.
"He said Muslim religion is beautiful, beautiful religion, where everything is about love," Miguel said. "Everybody is welcome. Gay, trans, bisexual... everybody."
Miguel added Mateen never appeared to be violent, saying "he was looking for love. He was looking to be embraced."
"My reaction was that can't be the man I know," he told Univision. "It's impossible that the man I know could do that."
The feds have investigated a number of men and women who said they had relations with Mateen and came forward in the wake of the massacre. Univision reports the FBI told the network Miguel was also investigated, however, CBS News said a law enforcement official would neither confirm nor deny this to the network.
