Man claiming to be Orlando shooter’s gay ex-lover says he killed for ‘revenge’
A man has come forward claiming to be Omar Mateen’s former lover, saying his ex felt rejected by the gay community.
In the wake of last week’s mass killing in Orlando, many have questioned what drove gunman Omar Mateen to commit such an atrocity.
After phone calls Mateen made from Pulse nightclub during the massacre were released earlier this week, it seemed initial claims that he was acting on behalf of terrorist group ISIS – or Daesh – had been confirmed.
During the calls, the killer pledges his allegiance to Islamic State and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
However, a man claiming to be Mateen’s ex-lover has come forward to dispute the claims, insisting the gunman acted out of revenge.
The man, identified only as Miguel, also discussed the killer’s ‘love’ of Latino men – many of whom were among the 49 victims left dead and 53 left wounded at Pulse.
“He adored Latinos, gay Latinos, with brown skin — but he felt rejected,” claimed the man – who also wore a disguise.
“He felt used by them — there were moments in the Pulse nightclub that made him feel really bad. Guys used him. That really affected him.
“I believe this crazy horrible thing he did — that was revenge.”
The man told Univision the killer held a particular grudge against Puerto Ricans because he felt “used” by them.
Miguel also claims Mateen once told him that he had sex with a man who waited until after their encounter to tell him that he was HIV-positive.
After taking a HIV test, Miguel says Mateen swore revenge on the community.
“When I asked him what he was going to do now, his answer was ‘I’m going to make them pay for what they did to me,’” he said.
The pair apparently met on a gay dating site, quickly becoming “friends with benefits.”
Miguel described Mateen as “a very sweet guy” who “loved to be cuddled” and “was looking for love.”
Miguel claims that he met with Mateen at least 15 to 20 times but never knew his name, only that he was a 35-year-old married man with a child.
He also insisted that Mateen’s wife knew that her husband was “100 percent” gay and that their marriage was a cover for his sexuality.
Noor Mateen has been questioned by the FBI over her involvement with the attack, after it was revealed she had visited the club with her husband on several occasions.
Miguel told Univision that he’s also spoken with the FBI three times, which the FBI later confirmed.
However, the FBI has clarified that the reports regarding Mateen’s sexuality are not yet confirmed.
Miguel’s are only the latest allegations that the killer was gay, after previous stories claiming he was actually a regular patron at the club and used male hook-up apps.
“Those allegations are still being vetted out as we speak and there’s no determination to be made at this time,” a statement read.
Asked why people should believe his claims Miguel concluded: “It’s my responsibility as a citizen of the United States and a gay man.”
