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Will Noor Salman’s Family Use ‘Special Education’ In Her Defense?

By Tylie Eaves
Published on: 14:17 PST, Jun 19, 2016

The FBI is looking closely at Noor Salman and her possible connection to the terror attack at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Because of the scrutiny she faces, her family has released a rare statement to ABC News, stating that she knew nothing of the attack and supporting that claim with her history as a special education student.

A retired teacher named Susan, whose image and full name are being withheld, has confirmed that Noor was indeed a special education student. She told ABC that “Noor had difficulty with retention, she had difficulty with conceptualizing, understanding, all challenges to her,” Susan said. “She tried hard. She was very sweet.” Susan was Noor Salman’s teacher at a middle school in Crockett, California.

Noor’s family is now using her special-education history as a defense of sorts. Her family told the media that “Noor is completely innocent and [was] unaware of the attacks,” the statement said, adding she doesn’t understand “cause and effect.”

Omar Mateen, the shooter in the deadly the Orlando attack, married Noor, now 30-years-old, after meeting him online. They married in September 2011. The FBI continues to watch Noor and has confirmed they will continue to investigate her involvement in, and prior knowledge of, the horrendous attack.

This news comes on the heels of the public release of the text messages that took place between Omar Mateen and Noor Salman during – yes, during, his murderous rampage at the night club. Another report from ABC News confirmed that Mateen sent text messages to his wife while the massacre was taking place. Some sources have cited that Omar Mateen gave his wife access to his bank accounts and his life insurance policy prior to the shooting.

There have also been reports indicating that Noor helped her husband scout locations throughout Orlando and that she has admitted to doing so while speaking with the FBI. The public has now also been made aware that Omar Mateen was a regular at the Pulse nightclub, as well as several other gay nightclubs in the city. According to some reports, he also used several gay dating websites.

On top of all this, Noor Salman is apparently missing. She’s no longer in Florida, according to her father, and there’s been no word on her whereabouts. At this juncture, Noor Salman’s family is adamant about her innocence. And though it’s just speculation, it seems their public release of the learning difficulties she experienced as a child could be a tool in building her defense, when and if she faces formal charges.

One thing is for certain, the public’s desire for justice remains strong and the pain from the attack is still fresh on minds and hearts of people all across the United States. There is a loud outcry for justice splashed across social media channels, and it seems the population is torn between two extremes when it comes to Noor Salman’s assertion of innocence. Twitter has been rife with statements from satire and sarcasm to broken-hearted compassion, and everything in between.

Some believe she was trying to stop him or to dissuade his plan.

Some believe she is as guilty as her husband and has had ill intent for some time now.

Some believe she’s the victim of some vast conspiracy.

One thing, however, remains abundantly clear and constant. America is still grieving over the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. Soil since 9-11, and regardless of politics, policies or perspectives, the citizens of our nation are united in the hunger for justice. Stay tuned to the Inquisitr for more information on this story as well other trending news from all over the world.

[Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images]

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