The father of Orlando gunman Omar Mateen said his son should not have killed 50 people at a gay club because "God himself will punish those involved in homosexuality". Speaking in a video posted on his Facebook page, Seddique Mateen, dressed in an army outfit, said he was saddened by the attack at Pulse nightclub on 12 June, which was the worst shooting in recent US history.

"I am deeply saddened and announce this to the people of America," Mateen said, according to a translation from the Washington Post. "God himself will punish those involved in homosexuality. This is not for the servants [of God]."

Seddique Mateen, who saw his son the night before the massacre, said he had no knowledge of what his son was about to do and would have stopped him if he had known.

More about Orlando shooting

In an interview with the paper, Seddique Mateen said: "He was well behaved, appearance was perfect, I didn't see any sign of worrying or being upset or nervous. He just stopped by as usual to say hello and go to work or to his house."

The shooter, 29, had a degree in criminal justice, his father said, and was well-educated from a well-to-do family who loved him.

"He grew up in a very well to do family and had a lot of love and care. I wish I did know, if I did know I would have stopped him. I know as much as you do at this point.

"My respect and my condolences and my sympathy to those families they lost their loved ones," he added. I was from Afghanistan now I am an American because I lived here for a lot time, so my feelings are totally American. I don't want anything to happen here, but unfortunately it happened and I am very sad and sorry about that."

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