13th Jun 2016 07:19
LONDON (Alliance News) - Security services company G4S PLC Monday said Omar Mateen, the man who perpetrated a mass shooting in a nightclub in Florida early Sunday, had been employed by the company since September 2007.
G4S said that Mateen was off-duty at the time of the incident.
"Mateen underwent company screening and background checks when he was recruited in 2007, and the check revealed nothing of concern. His screening was repeated in 2013 with no findings," the company said in a statement.
G4S said that it is "cooperating fully" with law enforcement authorities, including the FBI. It said that in 2013 it learned that Mateen had been questioned by the FBI, but that enquiries were subsequently closed.
"We were not made aware of any alleged connections between Mateen and terrorist activities, and were unaware of any further FBI investigations," said G4S Regional Chief Executive Officer for North America John Kenning in a statement.
"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims of this unspeakable tragedy, and their friends and families," Kenning said.
At least 50 people were killed and 53 others wounded, including a police officer, early Sunday in the shooting at the popular gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando, Florida. It was the deadliest shooting incident in the US history.
Shares in G4S were down 4.5% at 178.70 pence Monday morning, the biggest faller in the FTSE 250.
By Hana Stewart-Smith; [email protected]; @HanaSSAllNews
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