14 June 2016

News Story: Islamic State claims responsibility for Orlando nightclub shooting - IS radio hails Orlando shooter as "soldier of caliphate"

Islamic State claims responsibility for Orlando nightclub shooting

CAIRO/DAMASCUS, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic State (IS)-linked news agency Amaq said on Sunday that the Islamist militant group was responsible for the shooting that killed at least 50 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

"The attack that targeted a nightclub for homosexuals in Orlando, Florida and left more than 100 dead and wounded was carried out by an Islamic State fighter," said Amaq in a short English statement that went online Sunday evening.

Read the full story at Xinhua

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IS radio hails Orlando shooter as "soldier of caliphate"

DAMASCUS, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic State (IS) group hailed the gunman behind the attack on a gay nightclub in Florida as a "soldier of caliphate," according to a bulletin over the group's Al-Bayan radio on Monday.

The suspect was identified by U.S. authorities as 29-year-old Omar Mateen, an American citizen of Afghan descent, who had reportedly called 911 and claimed allegiance to the IS before going on a spree of shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing and wounding over 100 people.

Read the full story at Xinhua