Skip to main content
Tags: US | Nightclub Shooting | Mosque Fire

Video Shows Man Approaching Nightclub Shooter's Florida Mosque Before Fire

Video Shows Man Approaching Nightclub Shooter's Florida Mosque Before Fire

(AP)

Monday, 12 September 2016 09:52 AM EDT

Authorities in Florida are investigating an early Monday fire at the mosque that was attended by the Orlando nightclub shooter as a possible arson.

In an update on its official Facebook page, The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office said surveillance video shows someone approaching the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce around 12:30 a.m. Monday, moments before a flash was seen and the fire started. Firefighters extinguished the fire and there was no word about how much damage the fire caused.

No injuries have been reported.

The mosque was attended by Omar Mateen, who opened fire at the Pulse nightclub on June 12 in a rampage that left 49 victims dead and 53 wounded. It was the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

Early Monday, Maj. David Thompson of the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office declined to speculate on whether the Sunday anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks played a role in the fire.

Multiple agencies, including the State Fire Marshal's Office, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI, are investigating. Sheriff's officials said they will be releasing the video and asking for the public's help in identifying the person responsible for the fire.

It's not the first time the mosque has seen trouble since the Orlando attack.

A few weeks after the nightclub shooting, a man was beaten outside the mosque, according to Sheriff Ken J. Mascara. Early on July 2, deputies were called by a man who said someone was trying to burglarize a vehicle. Arriving deputies found a man bleeding from the mouth who told them he was approached by someone who "asked him what he was doing and then punched him several times in the face and head."

The man was stopped by deputies and arrested a short time later.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a statement that a man in a truck had stopped outside the mosque earlier that day and made slurs, including, "you Muslims need to get back to your country."

Mateen's father is among the roughly 100 members that attend the mosque.

© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Newsfront
Authorities in Florida are investigating an early Monday fire at the mosque that was attended by the Orlando nightclub shooter as a possible arson.
US, Nightclub Shooting, Mosque Fire
349
2016-52-12
Monday, 12 September 2016 09:52 AM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved