This archive report was first published on 9 December 2019.
Published on December 9, 2019, a Saudi military trainee, identified as Lieutenant Mohammed Alshamrani, had a history of clashing with an instructor at a New York training facility before the Florida shooting.
According to a person with knowledge of the matter, Lieutenant Alshamrani and three other Saudi military trainees visited New York City in April, where they spent about four days sightseeing, visiting museums and Rockefeller Center.
Despite the seemingly innocuous trip, several dozen F.B.I. agents and New York Police Department detectives have been tracing their movements, using credit cards, surveillance video, and other means to learn more about the visit.
It is unclear whether the April classroom incident, in which Lieutenant Alshamrani was visibly upset and reported to CAE USA managers, will play a role in the investigation.
However, the incident did lead to Lieutenant Alshamrani drafting a complaint, which he helped an American student draft, and speaking to the naval office that oversees international students.
Despite several government employees thinking that disciplinary action should be taken against the instructor, Mr. Day, he continued to instruct students, and Lieutenant Alshamrani was later paired with him for simulated flight training, which was canceled and rescheduled with a different instructor.
As part of the terrorism investigation, federal authorities will also be attempting to determine whether there was a political or ideological motive behind the shooting.
A Twitter account flagged by the SITE Intelligence Group, which is believed to be connected to the gunman, posted a statement shortly before the attack, criticizing America's support for Israel and the 'invasion' of other countries by United States troops.
