'I'm angry': Central Florida officials react to Pulse nightclub massacre 8 years after horrific shooting
Law enforcement and city leaders alike have spread messages of honor and love on a day the city of Orlando will never forget. On June 12, 2008, a lone gunman killed 49 people at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, marking the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ+ community in American history. The community is still outraged at the event, which heavily targeted the community. Local congressman Maxwell Frost expressed his "heart is heavy" and expressed anger over the massacre. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered flags to be raised at half-staff in honor of Pulse Remembrance Day. The Democratic National Convention and Orange County Sheriff John Mina and Undersheriff Mark Canty both responded to the Pulse nightclub massacre on this day. Concerns over LGBTQ+ safety and gun violence have persist since the mass shooting, with concerns over Florida ranking 50th in the nation for such incidents.
Published : 10 months ago by Averi Kremposky, https://www.facebook.com/ in General
On this day eight years ago, a lone gunman took the lives of 49 people at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.Even now, the community is still outraged at the horrific event that took place on June 12, 2016 — which heavily targeted the LGBTQ+ community. "Today, my heart is heavy," local congressman Maxwell Frost said on Wednesday. "Forty-nine angels were murdered on the dance floor and on the floor of Pulse nightclub in my home city, in my district, and in my home of Orlando, Florida. I'm angry.""Eight years ago today, we witnessed the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ+ community in American history," the Democratic National Convention said in a statement. "Forty-nine innocent lives, some as young as 19, were cut short in the Pulse nightclub shooting."On Wednesday morning, at the exact time gunfire rang out eight years ago, dozens of people gathered for a remembrance ceremony at the former nightclub. At 2:02 a.m., eight angels led attendees in prayer to remember those who were lost.Law enforcement and city leaders alike have spread messages of honor and love on a day the city of Orlando will never forget. On this day in 2016, Orange County Sheriff John Mina and Undersheriff Mark Canty both responded to the Pulse nightclub massacre. In a video released by the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the pair sat down to talk about the aftermath of the tragedy and how to honor the victims. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a memorandum on Wednesday declaring that all flags be raised at half-staff in honor of Pulse Remembrance Day. "Eight years ago, on June 12, 2016, a shooter claiming alliance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant committed a horrific act of terrorism against the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida," DeSantis said. "As a mark of respect for the victims, their families, and the many affected by this tragedy, I hereby direct the flags of the United States and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout the State of Florida from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, June 12, 2024."Many other officials share that their concerns over LGBTQ+ safety and gun violence have persisted ever since the mass shooting."We're 50th in the nation for LGBTQ+ safety and lead the country in mass shootings because Republicans in Tallahassee have forgotten the hard lessons of Pulse and Parkland," the Florida Democratic Party said in a statement. RELATED: Florida ranked second worst state for LGBTQ+ people"I'm angry that I've been fighting for this since I was 15, and we're still in this fight," Frost said. "We will continue to honor the lives of those 49 angels with nothing but action, with nothing but sweat equity until we end gun violence in this country."WESH 2 has reached out to the governor's office for a responding statement and will update our story when we hear back.
On this day eight years ago, a lone gunman took the lives of 49 people at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
Even now, the community is still outraged at the horrific event that took place on June 12, 2016 — which heavily targeted the LGBTQ+ community.
"Today, my heart is heavy," local congressman Maxwell Frost said on Wednesday. "Forty-nine angels were murdered on the dance floor and on the floor of Pulse nightclub in my home city, in my district, and in my home of Orlando, Florida. I'm angry."
"Eight years ago today, we witnessed the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ+ community in American history," the Democratic National Convention said in a statement. "Forty-nine innocent lives, some as young as 19, were cut short in the Pulse nightclub shooting."
On Wednesday morning, at the exact time gunfire rang out eight years ago, dozens of people gathered for a remembrance ceremony at the former nightclub. At 2:02 a.m., eight angels led attendees in prayer to remember those who were lost.
Law enforcement and city leaders alike have spread messages of honor and love on a day the city of Orlando will never forget.
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On this day in 2016, Orange County Sheriff John Mina and Undersheriff Mark Canty both responded to the Pulse nightclub massacre. In a video released by the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the pair sat down to talk about the aftermath of the tragedy and how to honor the victims.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a memorandum on Wednesday declaring that all flags be raised at half-staff in honor of Pulse Remembrance Day.
"Eight years ago, on June 12, 2016, a shooter claiming alliance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant committed a horrific act of terrorism against the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida," DeSantis said. "As a mark of respect for the victims, their families, and the many affected by this tragedy, I hereby direct the flags of the United States and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout the State of Florida from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, June 12, 2024."
Many other officials share that their concerns over LGBTQ+ safety and gun violence have persisted ever since the mass shooting.
"We're 50th in the nation for LGBTQ+ safety and lead the country in mass shootings because Republicans in Tallahassee have forgotten the hard lessons of Pulse and Parkland," the Florida Democratic Party said in a statement.
"I'm angry that I've been fighting for this since I was 15, and we're still in this fight," Frost said. "We will continue to honor the lives of those 49 angels with nothing but action, with nothing but sweat equity until we end gun violence in this country."
WESH 2 has reached out to the governor's office for a responding statement and will update our story when we hear back.
Topics: Crime