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Florida mosque attended by Orlando nightclub shooter catches fire overnight

Posted at 1:19 AM, Sep 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-12 06:47:46-04

ST. LUCE COUNTY, Fla. - Investigators said an overnight fire was intentionally set at the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce, Florida, the same mosque attended by Orlando nightclub shooter Omar Mateen.

The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office said 911 received a call at 12:31 a.m. that the place of worship was on fire.

The mosque has made national headlines because it served as the place of worship of Orlando nightclub shooter Omar Mateen. It was also where Syrian suicide bomber Moner Mohammad Abu Salha worshipped.

Several investigators, including the state’s fire marshal’s office and the sheriff’s office arson investigators, were called to the scene.

At a 6:30 a.m. news conference, Major David Thompson with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said the fire was intentionally set.

Thompson said surveillance video showed a person entering the mosque and setting it on fire.

Investigators are asking for help from the public to make an arrest in the case.