We Remember The Victims Of The Pulse Nightclub Shooting On The Seven-Year Anniversary
It is a night that lives in infamy. On June 12, 2016, a lone gunman entered Orlando’s Pulse nightclub and took the lives of 49 people and changed the lives of countless people. On Sunday, June 12, it will have been seven years since the brutal attack and we take this moment to honour those who were lost.
An event that resonates through time
On that fateful night of June 12, members of Orlando’s LGBTQIA+ community gathered at Pulse nightclub. The space was known for being a safe haven where one could be themselves without fear of persecution. One man entered Pulse nightclub and violated that haven killing 49 people and seriously injuring 68 more. At the time, it was the deadliest mass shooting in US history and to this day still holds second place for the most casualties. Countless lives were changed on June 12, 2016 and from that one deadly event, a community rose to show their support and solidarity.
It is Pride Month and the anniversary of the Pulse nightclub massacre; DNA wants to use this opportunity to honour the legacy of the fallen.
The tragic events at Pulse were felt across the world. President Barrack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden visited the memorial site and laid a wreath of flowers each.
On May 14, 2021, Representative Darren Soto campaigned to have the site of Pulse nightclub turned into a national memorial. The onePULSE Foundation has been instrumental in creating the National Pulse Memorial And Museum with legacy programs that work to honour the fallen and support the LGBTQIA+ community.
Every life lost at Pulse nightclub belonged to an individual who was unique and deserved better. They were fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and beloved friends. We remember them and we honour their lives. Here is the list of the fallen provided by People:
Akyra Murray, 18
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21
Amanda Alvear, 25
Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28
Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, 25
Antonio Davon Brown, 29
Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49
Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32
Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24
Cory James Connell, 21
Darryl Roman Burt II, 29
Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34
Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36
Frank Hernandez, 27
Franky Jimmy DeJesus Velazquez, 50
Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25
Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19
Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40
Jean C. Nieves Rodriguez, 27
Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35
Jerald Arthur Wright, 31
Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32
Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24
Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37
Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22
Kimberly Morris, 37
Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25
Luis Daniel Conde, 39
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20
Luis S. Vielma, 22
Martin Benitez Torres, 33
Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26
Miguel Angel Honorato, 30
Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26
Paul Terrell Henry, 41
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33
Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33
Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31
Stanley Almodovar III, 23
Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35
Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24
