Orlando Shooter Omar Mateen Called 911 to 'Pledge Allegiance to ISIS' Before Attack

The gunman who killed 50 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando called 911 before the attack and pledged allegiance to Islamic State, according to law enforcement sources cited by NBC News.

The network reported that 29-year-old Omar Mateen made the phone call to declare his allegiance to the IS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi.

It comes after Mateen's father said his son's actions had "nothing to do with religion".

Speaking to NBC News, Mir Seddique said he believed his son's actions were motived by homophobia.

"This had nothing to do with religion," he said.

He said his son recently lashed out in his presence after witnessing a gay couple embracing in downtown Miami.

"He saw two men kissing each other in front of his wife and kid and he got very angry," Mr Seddique said.