Authorities launched an arson investigation Monday morning after a Florida mosque that Pulse nightclub shooter Omar Mateen attended before his death caught fire overnight.
The fire was reported at about 12:31 a.m. when a 911 caller saw flames coming from The Islamic Center of Fort Pierce, located in the 1100 block of West Midway Road, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Maj. David Thompson said.
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"Evidence has revealed that this fire was set intentionally," Thompson said. "Video tape captured an individual approach the east side of the building here. Immediately after the individual approached a flash occurred and the individual fled the area."
"The Sheriff's Office is actively investigating this as an arson," the sheriff's office said on its Facebook page. "Video captured at the Fort Pierce Islamic Center shows an individual approached the east side of the building just moments before a flash is seen and the fire starts."
The fire happened hours after the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people and injured 6,000 others.
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It also happened exactly three months after the Pulse nightclub massacre that killed 49 and injured 53 others.
Mateen, who attended the Islamic Center, was killed as SWAT team members breached the building to rescue victims trapped inside.
It is too early in the investigation to connect 9/11 or the Pulse attacks to the fire, Thompson said.
"Right now, I don't want to speculate on a motive, we all know the implications of the date and time of year this is, the 9/11 anniversary," he said. "Is that related? I would not want to speculate, but certainly that is in the back of our minds."
The sheriff's office was being assisted by the St. Lucie County Fire District and Florida State Fire Marshal's office.
Thompson said he had also requested assistance from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the FBI.
"This is a horrible tragedy," he said. "Not only for the Islamic Center, but for our community."
No injuries were reported in connection with the fire.
The extent of the damage done to the mosque was not immediately released.
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