Barack Obama says 'no clear evidence' on gunman's link to ISIS

The gunman pledged allegiance to IS while making a 911 call during attack

Orlando Police officers direct family members away from a multiple shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Photo: AP/PTI
Orlando Police officers direct family members away from a multiple shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Photo: AP/PTI
ANI Washington
Last Updated : Jun 14 2016 | 3:17 PM IST

US President Barack Obama, who will visit Orlando on Thursday to pay his respects to the victims of the country's worst shooting massacre, has said there is no clear evidence that the gay nightclub gunman was directed by the Islamic State to carry out the mass killing.

President Obama after a briefing with law enforcement, counterterrorism and Homeland Security officials yesterday said that even though the gunman had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State while making a 911 call during the attack, there was no clear evidence that he had been part of a wider plot directed by the terrorist group, reports the New York Times.

Though, the attack is being investigated as a terrorism act and the reason of the attack is yet to be identified, he added.

Reportedly, a radio outlet of the IS hailed the attack yesterday and called Omar Mateen (29), who carried out the massacre killing 49 people and wounding several others as "one of the soldiers of the caliphate in America."

Obama said this kind of violence is an example of homegrown terrorism, which comes from extremist information available on the internet and can easily target weak or disturbed individuals.

Presidential candidiate Donald Trump called for a ban on immigration from countires which encourage extremist groups, while Hillary Clinton slammed Saudi Arabia for the same.

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First Published: Jun 14 2016 | 1:22 PM IST

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