The Orlando nightclub shooter had reportedly bought nearly $9,000 worth of jewelry days before he carried out the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
Omar Mateen made the expensive purchases at a Kay Jewelers in Jensen Beach, Florida on June 6, according to ABC News, which did not cite a source. Six days later, he gunned down 49 people and injured 53 others inside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, authorities said.
Signet, which owns Kay Jewelers, said in a statement to TIME that it was “working closely with the authorities” but did not confirm Mateen’s purchase.
“Signet was shocked and deeply saddened by the violent acts against the LGBT community. We join all Americans in mourning and are working closely with the authorities. We will do everything possible to support them,” said David Bouffard, Signet’s vice president of corporate affairs.
The FBI on Monday was set to release a partial printed transcript of the conversations Mateen had with police negotiators inside the nightclub.
[ABC]
More Must-Reads From TIME
- Why We're Spending So Much Money Now
- The Fight to Free Evan Gershkovich
- Meet the 2024 Women of the Year
- John Kerry's Next Move
- The Quiet Work Trees Do for the Planet
- Breaker Sunny Choi Is Heading to Paris
- Column: The Internet Made Romantic Betrayal Even More Devastating
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com