Orlando Gunman’s Father Slams Nightclub's Security, Slow Police Reaction

Father of gunman Omar Mateen, who shot and killed almost 50 people at a gay nightclub in the US state of Florida, said the tragedy could have been avoided if the nightclub had a better security in place, and criticized police officers for slowly reacting to the situation, media reported Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Monday, the father, Seddique Mateen, called the tragedy an act of terrorism which was against his principles. He has suggested, however, that it is up to god to punish gay people, according to media reports.

"The club, (with) 300 or 400 people… coming — they should have good security. If there was good security, he wouldn't have had this opportunity. Why the law enforcement team was so late — they should have neutralized him quick… This should not have happened," Seddique told Sky News.

He added his son's actions were not influenced by religious views, saying that only Omar himself was responsible for what he had done.

"I don't forgive what he did — it's unforgivable because we didn't teach him to do this. I taught him to become more educated and more service-oriented towards the community," Omar's father continued.

On Sunday, Mateen, identified as a US citizen of Afghan descent, killed 49 people and injured 53 others at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Mateen was reported to have been trained in the use of weapons. According to media reports, in 2013, he was investigated by US law enforcement for possible ties to terrorist organizations and a Florida man, who became the first US suicide bomber in Syria.