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Orlando gay nightclub shooting

Names, details about Orlando massacre victims emerge

Alison Young and Cody Dulaney
USA TODAY
Orlando police officers seen outside of Pulse nightclub after a fatal shooting and hostage situation on June 12, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. The suspected shooter, Omar Mateen, was shot and killed by police. 50 people are reported dead and 53 were injured.

Orlando police and city officials have begun releasing the identities of the 50 people killed in the mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub early Sunday morning.

As family members are notified, the names are being posted on a city website: cityoforlando.net/victims.

The names posted so far:

  • Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34
  • Stanley Almodovar III, 23
  • Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20
  • Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22
  • Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36
  • Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22
  • Luis S. Vielma, 22
  • Kimberly Morris, 37
  • Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30
  • Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 

At a news conference Sunday afternoon, police and city officials asked for patience as law enforcement officials said they were working as quickly as possible to identify the victims in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

Meanwhile scores of family and friends continued to search for information about people who may have been injured or killed.

With tears in his eyes, Angel Gardmac embraced a friend outside Orlando Regional Medical Center as he waited to hear from six friends who were in the midst of last night's mass shooting at Pulse nightclub.

Not knowing their condition is the hardest part, he said.

"I'm in shock," Gardmac said in between sobs. "I don't know how to feel."

He was just one of dozens standing outside the hospital, waiting to hear the fate of their loved ones. Some people know their family members were in the club last night, but they haven't heard from them since the shooting.

Many people left the hospital on Sunday with their faces buried in their hands or talking on the phone as tears streamed down their faces.

Adeliz Lopez said she just learned her cousin, Ilka, is in critical condition after being shot eight times last night. Ilka went to Pulse for Latin Night, but what was supposed to be a fun evening of dancing ended in a nightmare, she said.

"I'm devastated," Lopez said. "There is so much hate in people's hearts."

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