BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts authorities say a man who opened fire at a gay club in Orlando, killing at least 50 people, mentioned the Boston Marathon bombers in a 911 call he made during the massacre.
Massachusetts State Police said in a statement Sunday afternoon the agency learned of the gunman’s comments during a conference call with federal law enforcement officials.
Police say the shooter, 29-year-old Omar Mateen, referenced the Tsarnaev brothers in the call. Tamerlan Tsarnaev (TAM’-ehr-luhn tsahr-NEYE’-ehv) and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (joh-HAHR’ tsahr-NEYE’-ehv) perpetrated the April 2013 attack in Boston that killed three and injured more than 260.
State police say Mateen’s name does not appear in any local databases of “potential terrorist suspects.”
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They say law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts are working with federal authorities to learn more about Mateen’s comments.