HITTING BACK

Pulse Victims’ Families Sue Twitter, Facebook, Google

For allegedly providing “material support” to Omar Mateen.

Families of three people killed in the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando are suing Twitter, Google, and Facebook in federal court for allegedly providing "material support" to Omar Mateen, who was self-radicalized online. Mateen, who was 29 years old, killed 49 people and wounded another 53 in the violent attack he dedicated to the Islamic State. He was fatally shot during an exchange with police in the June event while holding dozens of victims hostage. The families of Tevin Crosby, Javier Jorge-Reyes, and Juan Ramon Guerrero filed the suit in Detroit federal court. Documents in the court filing claim that the social media companies "provided the terrorist group ISIS with accounts they use to spread extremist propaganda, raise funds and attract new recruits." The suit also contends that such "material support has been instrumental to the rise of ISIS and has enabled it to carry out or cause to be carried out, numerous terrorist attacks." Facebook said in a statement on Tuesday that it immediately removes terrorist content when it's reported to the compay. "We are committed to providing a service where people feel safe when using Facebook," the company said. "We sympathize with the victims and their families."