Orlando Mass Shooter’s Dad: Hillary Clinton ‘Good for United States’

KISSIMMEE, FL — When Hillary Clinton spoke during a Monday night rally at Kissimmee’s Exhibition Hall, one supporter in particular stood out from the crowd. Seated directly behind the Democratic presidential nominee was Seddique Mateen, the father of Pulse Night Club shooter Omar Mateen.

Clinton’s rally was part of her Florida Jobs Tour, which kicked off earlier in the day with two stops in St. Petersburg. While the presidential hopeful did discuss her plan to add more jobs to the American economy, she opened the Kissimmee event paying tribute to those slain in the Orlando massacre.

As Clinton vowed to help those affected by the tragedy, deemed the worst mass shooting in modern American history, a man in a red hat, seated behind Clinton, became evident to some of those at the rally. The 29-year-old shooter’s father did not speak during the rally but did grant an interview following the event to WPTV. The station’s crew bumped into the elder Mateen at a rest stop on the way back to West Palm Beach.

“Hillary Clinton is good for United States versus Donald Trump, who has no solutions,” Mateen told WPTV.

See also:

• Orlando Shooter’s Dad Laments Son’s Death
• Orlando Shooting: 911 Call Transcripts Released

When questioned about whether the Clinton campaign knew he would be in attendance, Mateen replied, “It’s a Democratic party, so everyone can join.”

The Clinton campaign has said Mateen was not invited to attend.

Omar Mateen was shot and killed in the early morning hours of June 12 after opening fire on a near-capacity crowd at the Orlando nightclub. A total of 49 victims died as a result of the Pulse Night Club & Ultra Bar shooting; the younger Mateen was the 50th casualty. Fifty-three people were also injured in the rampage, which has been classified as an act of terror by the federal government.

The younger Mateen, the FBI has said, was radicalized. He pledged support to the Islamic State during a 911 call placed early that Sunday morning.

Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has run afoul of the American Muslim community on several occasions since his campaign kicked into high gear during the primaries. His plan to ban all Muslims from coming into the country has met with widespread disapproval. He’s also taken a beating in recent polls following a well-publicized dispute with Khizr Khan, the father of a fallen U.S. soldier.

Trump’s campaign had issued no statements on Mateen’s appearance at Clinton’s rally as of Tuesday afternoon.

Clinton’s Jobs Tour continued Tuesday in Miami.

Photo of Pulse Night Club courtesy of the Orlando Police Department