Florida mosque where Orlando nightclub gunman Omar Mateen worshipped set on fire in suspected arson
Police say surveillance video reveals figure approach building and a bright flash just as the fire begins
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Police in Florida are investigating an early morning fire at the mosque attended by Omar Mateen, the Orlando nightclub shooter.
No-one was injured in the blaze at the Islamic Centre of Fort Pierce.
The St Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said surveillance video showed someone approaching the building moments before a flash is seen and the fire began.
“A fire at any place of worship is alarming, regardless of the circumstances,” it said on Facebook.
The fire was extinguished by firefighters after a 911 call was made. The full extent of the damage has not yet been determined.
The mosque was used by Mateen, the gunman who opened fire at the Pulse nightclub in June, killing 49 victims.
The rampage in the gay club was the worst mass shooting in modern American history.
Major David Thompson, of the St Lucie County Sheriff's Office, declined to speculate on whether the date of the fire, at the end of the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, was significant but he confirmed that investigators were treating it as arson.
“Evidence has revealed that this fire was set intentionally,” he said
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 added that they planned to release the surveillance footage and will appeal to the public for help in identifying the person responsible.
It's not the first time the mosque has seen trouble since the Orlando attack.
A few weeks after the shooting, a man was beaten outside the mosque, according to Sheriff Ken Mascara. Early on July 2, deputies were called by a man who said someone was trying to break into a vehicle.
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 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 worshippers that regularly attend the mosque.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments