JENSEN BEACH, Fla. — Eyewitness News has learned a gun shop owner in South Florida refused to sell body armor and ammunition to Omar Mateen, the man who ultimately ambushed clubgoers at Pulse nightclub on Sunday and shot and killed 49 people.
The owner of Lotus Gunworks” in Jensen Beach, said Mateen, 29, was suspicious based on the questions he was asking. The owner said he notified authorities.
"Here's a prime example of trying to do the right thing and we got so close to it, but unfortunately, it slipped through the cracks," said the gun store owner.
It’s unclear if the FBI was aware of Mateen’s visit, but the agency is now looking at his time at the gun shop.
Mateen ultimately bought an AR-15 and handgun at another St. Lucie gun shop. Those guns were purchased legally after he passed a background check.
Mateen obtained a weapons license nearly 10 years ago. Records show he scored high on marksmanship tests almost every year for the last eight years.
Sources told Eyewitness News that when investigators searched Mateen’s vehicle and his Fort Piece condo, they found at least one cardboard or paper target.
Cox Media Group
