In a country that has seen far too many mass shootings, and far too much gun-related death, this one has been called the most devastating yet.
As the world collectively comes together to process the tragedy surrounding Orlando after a gunman opened fire at Pulse Nightclub in the early hours of Sunday, the first victims of the worst mass shooting in US history have been named.
The city of Orlando’s website has named only six of the victims out the 50, who are believed to have been killed in the shooting.
Those names are:
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old
Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 years old
Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 years old
Luis S. Vielma, 22 years old
In announcing the news, the city of Orlando wrote on their website that they are sending "heartfelt condolences to today’s victims and their families."
"Our City is working tirelessly to get as much information out to the families so they can begin the grieving process," they wrote.
The mother of 23-year-old victim Stanley Almodovar III told the Orlando Sentinel that she had received a frantic call in the early hours of Sunday with news of the attack.
Rosalie Ramos, 51, told the paper she was hoping her son, a pharmacy technician, was injured in the attack but would survive his injuries.
"I was hoping maybe [he was shot in] the hand or the leg," she said. "You can survive [a gunshot to] the leg."
The shooter has been identified as Omar Mateen, who called 911 on Sunday morning and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, officials have said.
At this point, we don't have all of the names and all of the faces. And although we can't show them all right now, they are all in our thoughts and in our hearts.
Top Comments
Young guys with their whole lives ahead of them. Such a senseless waste of precious human lives.