Transcript: Pulse Shooter Told Negotiator Why He Attacked Nightclub

“That’s what triggered it, okay?”

From: NewNowNext

 The gunman who murdered 49 people at Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub in June told police he was retaliating against American attacks against ISIS

”You have to tell the U.S. government to stop bombing,” Omar Mateen told a police negotiator by phone, according to newly released transcripts. “They are killing too many children. They are killing too many women, okay.”

 On Friday, officials released transcripts of Mateen’s conversations before his death.

He mentioned one attack by name—a May airstrike that killed Islamic State leader Abu Wahib.

“Yo, the airstrike that killed Abu Wahib a few weeks ago,” Mateen said. “That’s what triggered it, okay?”

 Wahib reportedly killed three truck drivers because they were Shiite Muslims, then posted the video of the murders online. 

In some instances, Mateen refused to answer questions. Other times it appears he was lying—like his boast he had littered the Pulse parking lot with enough bombs “[to] take out a whole city block.”

 Telling the negotiator “My name is Islamic soldier,” and “Call me Mujahideen, Mateen also declared he was observing the holy month of Ramadan.

“I fasted the whole day today. I fasted the whole day and I prayed.”

Authorities have not found any link between Mateen and an organized terror cell.

Mateen’s ex-wife, Sitora Yusufiy, claims he was tormented by his homosexuality and the attack was an attempt to impress his father.