Father of Orlando shooter says he doesn't believe his son was gay

Washington, June 16: Seddique Mir Mateen, the Afghan-born father of the gunman who killed nearly 50 people at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, said that he did not believe his son was gay and that he did not forgive him for the suffering he caused.

"I doubt it," Mateen said when asked if it was true that his son had gay tendencies, as has been rumoured based on the testimony of Pulse's patrons, one of whom said he had seen the gunmen at that club at least a dozen times, Efe news reported.

The father, who said he was completely unaware of his son's plans and would have stopped him had he known, apologised to the victims and their families.

The 29-year-old gunman killed 49 people and wounded 53 others early on Sunday during Latin Night at the Pulse nightclub before being shot dead by a SWAT team at that same establishment.

IANS