Release Of Orlando Nightclub Shooter's Wife Blocked

ORLANDO, FL — Just one day after a federal magistrate agreed to set bond at $500,000 for Noor Salman, the wife of Orlando nightclub shooter Omar Mateen, federal prosecutors have obtained a stay on her release. Salman, 31, stands accused of helping Mateen find potential targets.

Judge Donna Ryu set Salman’s bail on Wednesday, saying she wasn’t a flight risk or a danger to the public. No evidence of ties between Salman and the Islamic State have been found. As part of her release agreement, Salman would have to wear an ankle monitor and would live with her uncle in Northern California.

Those safeguards don’t go far enough, federal prosecutors say. They want Salman, who has pleaded not guilty, incarcerated until her trial has been held. Thursday’s motion asked for a halt to Salmon's release while the court considers the request for her to remain behind bars through her trial. That halt was granted by U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron of Florida's Middle District.

A trial date has not been set.

Salman and her attorneys have until March 8 to file a response to the government's motion, Byron's order said.

Salman was arrested in the San Francisco area in January after a two-count indictment was handed down by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

The indictment states that Salman knowingly aided and abetted Mateen's attempted provision of "material support and resources," including personnel and resources, to ISIS between April and June of 2016. According to the indictment, Salman also knowingly engaged in misleading conduct toward law enforcement "on or about June 12" with the intention to "hinder, delay and prevent communication" to federal law enforcement agencies information relating to the attack at Pulse night club.

Mateen pledged allegiance to multiple terror organizations before walking into the Pulse, a popular gay nightclub, and opening fire on a near-capacity crowd in the early morning hours of June 12, 2016. He killed 49 people and wounded more than 50 others before he was shot and killed by police. The massacre, the worst mass shooting in modern American history, has been classified as an act of terror by federal authorities.

Orlando Police Chief John Mina was swift to react to Wednesday’s news of Salman’s potential release. He took to his agency’s Twitter account to share his disappointment.

“Nothing can erase the pain we all feel about the senseless and brutal murders of 49 of our neighbors, friends, family members and loved ones,” Mina said. “But I have full faith that she will ultimately be brought to justice and I remain grateful to federal authorities, who worked tirelessly on this case for months to see that some measure of justice be served in this act of terror that has affected our community so deeply.”

Photo courtesy of the Orlando Police Department