Local

Pulse victims, families sue shooter’s former employer; wife over ‘preventable’ crime

ORLANDO, Fla. — Attorneys representing 57 victims and families of those killed in the June 2016 shooting at Pulse nightclub have filed a federal lawsuit that claims the shooter’s employer and his wife failed to stop what was a “predictable, therefore preventable” act of deadly violence.

Omar Mateen was employed by the global security firm G4S, during which time he made several threats to co-workers and claims of being connected to Al Qaeda, according to the lawsuit.

“He was so vocal that the FBI even began to investigate him, but his employer refused to terminate him from his job, refused to terminate his license that he carried to purchase and conceal guns and ammunition. it was a woeful lack of supervision on the part of G4S,” said attorney Antonio Romanucci, during a news conference in Orlando on Wednesday.

The lawsuit also blames Mateen’s wife, Noor Salman, for aiding him in the crime, by also refusing to act in a manner that could have prevented the shootings.

Salman is being held and faces trial in Orlando federal court, perhaps later this year.

The following is a statement sent to News 96.5 WDBO from G4S:

“G4S continues to have the deepest sympathy for the victims, friends and families who were affected by the Pulse nightclub shooting.

“G4S Secure Solutions (USA) Inc. (G4S) notes the lawsuit filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. G4S intends to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit which it considers to be wholly without merit.”

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