Wife of Pulse nightclub shooter arrested on federal charges

Noor Salman initially questioned after Orlando mass shooting

SAN FRANCISCO – The wife of Orlando nightclub shooter Omar Mateen was arrested Monday on charges of obstruction of justice and aiding and abetting by providing support to a terrorist organization, according to the Orlando Police Department.

The FBI interviewed Noor Salman for hours after her husband opened fire at Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12, killing 49 people. Agents believe Salman was not telling the truth about her knowledge of Mateen's plans to carry out the mass shooting, The New York Times reported.

Salman, 30, told authorities that she tried to stop the attack, according to a CBS News report. She had visited the club with her husband at least once before the mass shooting and she was also seen on surveillance video purchasing ammunition with Mateen, authorities said. Officials believe she communicated with her husband during his standoff with police and sent an "I love you" text. 

"It's already hard to believe that someone would do something like what Mateen did, but it's hard to believe that someone would allow someone to do what he did," Pulse shooting survivor Norman Casiano said after hearing news of the arrest. "It's like seeing something happening and not doing anything about it. You're as guilty as the person who did it."

Salman's attorney, Linda Moreno, denied that her client knew what Mateen was planning.

"Noor Salman had no foreknowledge nor could she predict what Omar Mateen intended to do that tragic night," Moreno said. "Noor has told her story of abuse at his hands. We believe it is misguided and wrong to prosecute her and that it dishonors the memories of the victims to punish an innocent person."

Mateen was killed during a standoff around 5 a.m. June 12, about three hours after he initially opened fire inside the gay nightclub. He pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State several times during the attack as he spoke to negotiators.

[ Click through an interactive timeline of the 911 calls ]

Pulse nightclub Barbara Poma said she's glad to see "positive results" from the ongoing investigation.

"What is most important is justice for the families, victims and all others affected," Poma said. "My hope is that this helps in the journey of healing.”

A U.S. attorney in mid-June announced plans to bring evidence before a federal grand jury to determine whether charges would be filed against Salman.

The widow remained mum on the accusations against her until November when she did her first media interview after the attack. She told The New York Times that Mateen was abusive toward her and she was afraid to leave him because she didn't want him to get custody of their son, who was 3 years old at the time. 

Salman filed a petition in California in December to change the name of her son, who is partially named after his father. A hearing in that case is scheduled for February.

The arrest was made Monday morning outside Salman's home in San Francisco, more than seven months after the shooting. The FBI confirmed Salman's arrest in relation to the Pulse shooting to News 6, but would not provide any further information. Salman is due in court Tuesday morning in Oakland, California.

Federal charges against Salman were filed in the Middle District of Florida, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Orlando police Chief John Mina released a statement Monday afternoon saying he was grateful to hear news of the arrest.

"Nothing can erase the pain we all feel about the senseless and brutal murder of 49 of our neighbors, friends, family members and loved ones," Mina said. "But today, there is some relief in knowing that someone will be held accountable for that horrific crime."

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer also released a statement about the arrest.

"We appreciate the FBI and all law enforcement agencies who worked tirelessly and were dedicated to bringing some justice to this terrible tragedy," he said. "Our community continues to heal and we remain focused on taking care of the needs of their victims and their families."

Check back with News 6 for more on this breaking news story.

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