FBI says Orlando attack was act of terrorism and hate crime; Agents checking wife's claims

ORLANDO, Fla., June 15 (UPI) -- Federal agents dissecting the worst mass shooting in American history, in Orlando, are classifying it as both terrorism and a hate crime, the FBI said Wednesday, as the bureau continues to look into any role the suspect's wife might have played.

During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ronald Hopper said authorities are trying to piece together suspect Omar Mateen's movements prior to the attack, and urged citizens who might have information to come forward.

"We need your help in developing a picture of what the shooter did and why he did it," Hopper said in a statement.

It was reported Tuesday that Mateen's wife, Noor Salman, could possibly face criminal charges for withholding information about the attack and lying to federal agents. Wednesday, though, Hopper said her status remains unclear.

"With respect to the wife, I can tell you that that is only one of many interviews we have done and will continue to do," he said, adding that there were "no impending charges" against her.

Hooper also said the bureau is viewing the attack as both an act of terrorism and a hate crime.

"This was an act of violence born out of hate that inflicted terror on an entire community," he said. "I would call it a hate crime, I would call it terrorism. It's both."

The FBI also said it has ruled out the possibility that Mateen might have also considered attacking other clubs in Orlando.

Hopper's remarks followed other additional details that emerged Wednesday about the attack at the Pulse nightclub.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said Mateen threatened to strap four hostages with bombs at the gay club -- a threat that delayed paramedics' treatment of wounded victims.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo places flowers at a memorial for the victims of the mass shooting at an Orlando, Florida nightclub outside of The Stonewall Inn on Monday, June 13, 2016 in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

Dyer said he did not know how long paramedics were delayed. At least 11 people died in hospitals or on their way to hospitals after the shooting had ended.

Authorities said they had to wait a "significant time" before entering the club to fully assess the carnage.

Hopper did not say whether any explosives were found inside the club.

Officials made the decision to delay efforts as they also took into consideration that people trapped within the nightclub told 911 emergency dispatch that the gunman spoke of explosives and was possibly wearing a bomb vest.

"All indications were it was booby trapped," Dyer said.

When officials ultimately killed Mateen, a robot was sent to clear the club. A backpack and battery were found near Mateen's body.

At least 49 people were killed early Sunday, making it the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. One of the survivors said he heard Mateen tell a 911 emergency dispatcher that he carried out the attack to compel the United States to stop bombing the Islamic State.

The FBI on Tuesday said there was no evidence to suggest Mateen acted out on orders from the Islamic State militant organization. During the 911 calls, the gunman said he carried out the attack for Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and pledged allegiance to the militant Islamist organization.

He also said he pledged solidarity to the Tsarnaev brothers who carried out the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and to an American who carried out a bombing in Syria for the al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaida affiliate -- who the FBI said the gunman knew as they attended the same mosque.

Mateen reportedly made calls to a local television producer and to a friend. Survivors said that in those calls, Mateen said he had three other accomplices -- particularly one accomplice he said was strapped with a bomb vest and pretending to be dead along with other victims.