Federal investigators have found no evidence suggesting the Orlando shooter Omar Mateen was gay or had gay lovers, according to officials who spoke anonymously to the
Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Officials have looked at Mateen's laptop and cell phone, as well as electronic devices of men who said they had communicated with him. No photographs, text messages, smartphone apps, or gay pornography have been found.
Mateen, who according to the
Los Angeles Times, was twice married to women and had a young son, opened fire at Pulse nightclub, killing 49 people on June 12. Orlando police officers killed him when they stormed the building after a three-hour standoff, the newspaper said.
Four men told the Orlando Sentinel they saw Mateen in the club before the shooting. Two of those had said they messaged with him on gay dating apps.
Kevin West of Orlando told the Sentinel he chatted with Mateen on the gay app Jack'd. West told the paper he believes the shooter was smart enough to not leave a trail of his activity.
"It's almost certain that he covered his tracks," West said.
The gossip website
TMZ reported that hotel surveillance cameras captured evidence of Mateen meeting another man. TMZ said that evidence has been turned over to authorities.
Officials believe that some of the witness may not be credible or may be confusing Mateen with someone else.
The investigation is still ongoing. Attorney Gen. Loretta Lynch said, "We are following every lead."
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