Early Monday, U.S. officials arrested Noor Zahi Salman, the wife of the Orlando shooter that gunned down dozens at at Pulse Nightclub in an act of terror, at her home near San Francisco for aiding and abetting terrorism. Her husband, Omar Mateen, was killed by police on the night of the terror attack that left 49 dead and another 68 wounded, which leaves her as the only one to face charges in connection with the massacre. If convicted, Salman faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
“From an unknown date, but at least as early as in or about the end of April 2016, through and including on or about June 12, 2016, in the Middle District of Florida, and elsewhere, the defendant, NOOR ZAHI SALMAN, did knowingly aid and abet Omar Mateen’s attempted provision and provision of ‘material support or resources,'” the indictment reads.
FBI agents said that Salman knowingly assisted her husband in carrying out the terror attack influenced by the Islamic State. She is also accused of misleading investigators following the attack which blocked access to pertinent information.
A Middle District of Florida grand jury indicted the 30-year-old widow on charges of aiding and abetting the attempted provision and provision of material support to a foreign terrorist organization, and obstruction of justice. She is expected to return to Central Florida to face charges after her court appearance in Oakland, California on Tuesday.
Though Omar Mateen wasn’t found to have any official ties to the Islamic State, the murderer called 911 during the attack and pledged his allegiance to ISIS. He was also reported to have watched online jihadist sermons and had terrorist videos downloaded onto his home computer.
Salman first told investigators she was unaware Mateen was planning on carrying out such an attack but it was later revealed that she was aware of her husband’s intentions and told him on the day of the attack not to execute his brutal plan.
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