NYPD Says Alleged Orlando Nightclub Shooter Has 'Absolutely No Affiliation' With Police After Seen Wearing NYPD Shirt
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The NYPD says Orlando nightclub shooting suspect Omar Mateen has 'absolutely no affiliation' with the police force after pictures emerged on social media of Mateen wearing NYPD apparel.
Re: photos of the alleged #Orlando shooter wearing #NYPD clothing, there is absolutely no affiliation at this time." @NYPDChiefofDept
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) June 12, 2016
The photos surfaced on Twitter after being posted by Toronto Sun crime reporter Chris Doucette on Sunday.
Suspected #PulseShooting gunman, Omar Mateen, 29, is seen here wearing NYPD shirts. @TheTorontoSun pic.twitter.com/bdGt0sm0As
— Chris Doucette (@SunDoucette) June 12, 2016
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Early Sunday, a gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside a crowded Florida nightclub before dying in a gunfight with SWAT officers, police said. The attack left at least 50 people dead, making it the worst mass shooting in American history.
Police Chief John Mina also said the shooter had some sort of "suspicious device." He said the suspect exchanged gunfire with an officer working at the club around 2 a.m., then went back inside and took hostages among more than 300 people inside.
NYPD Chief James O'Neill says there are no credible threats towards New York City at this time. The NYPD will also increase security and patrols throughout the city in the wake of the attack.