Omar Mateen, the suspect in the Orlando, Fla., nightclub shooting that left 50 dead and injured 53 more, spent time at the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce and was there as recently as two days ago, Imam Shafiq Rahman told The Washington Post on Sunday.

A reporter for WPTV in Florida reported that Mateen's imam gave an unexpected statement to the media on Sunday evening.

The imam, who was not identified by name by reporter Meghan McRoberts, said if presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE were president, the anger would shift away from Muslims, according to a WPTV reporter.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It would have some good effects,” the unnamed imam told WPTV.