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Orlando Shooter Wasn’t on U.S. No-Fly List, Despite FBI Probes

  • Two U.S. investigations before attack didn’t turn up evidence
  • FBI compiles suspected domestic terrorists in U.S. watch lists
Undated photo or selfie of Omar Mateen, identified as the gunman in mass shooting at a gay club in Orlando

Undated photo or selfie of Omar Mateen, identified as the gunman in mass shooting at a gay club in Orlando

Source: Sipa via AP Photo
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Once the FBI concluded there wasn’t enough evidence to link Omar Mateen to terrorism, that meant the man who later swore allegiance to the Islamic State during a murder spree on Sunday wouldn’t be prohibited from airline flights.

Mateen had twice been investigated by FBI agents for suspected terrorist leanings and was for a time listed on a government watch list, but he was removed because agents closed the initial case in 2013 without confirming he was a danger, FBI Director James Comey told reporters in Washington Monday.