As police notify next of kin, authorities have made available the names of the 49 people killed at Pulse night club on Sunday morning by jihadist terrorist Omar Mateen. With their names public, their friends and family have begun telling the stories of who their loved ones were and how they lived their lives.
Breitbart News has compiled twenty-eight stories of the publicly known victims, an update on our earlier list posted Monday.
Edward Sotomayor
At 34 years old, Edward Sotomayor was one of the first victims slaughtered at the Massacre. Sotomayor was the brand manager at AlandChuck Travel, a gay travel agency. He was a very well liked and kind individual according to those who knew him.
Stanley Almodovar III
A 23-year-old pharmacy technician enjoying a night on the town in Orlando, his mother say she was lying in bed not expecting to be woken up that night by a parents’ worst nightmare. As she learned of the situation transpiring at Pulse, she quickly rushed to the scene in hopes her son would only bear an arm or leg wound, according to the Orlando Sentinel. To her dismay, Almodovar died in the Orlando Medical Center from gunshot wounds to the chest stomach and side.
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo
A Starbucks Barista by day and a dancer by night, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo had barely begun his life. Still closer to what should have been the beginning of his story than his end, at 20 years old, there was a world full of opportunity waiting for him. The people in his life described him as a genuine, caring, and independent person, not beholden to what others thought of him, as stated on Romper. “He lit up any area he worked, especially Starbucks,” his coworker Claudia Mason stated in a Facebook post.
Juan Ramon Guerrero
Juan was a telemarketer who recently began attending school at The University of Central Florida. Unsure of what he would major in, as he had time to figure it out, he was reportedly just happy to be back in school. His younger cousin says he looked up greatly to Juan, according to Local 10 News. His cousin Robert said, “He was never the type to go out to parties, would rather stay home and care for his niece and nephew.”
Eric Ivan Ortiz Rivera
Born in Puerto Rico, Eric left his home in search of a better life and opportunity in Florida. Rivera had a bachelor’s degree in communications from Universidad Central de Bayamón in Puerto Rico. Eric had been attending a housewarming party for a friend; when it ended, a group headed over to the gay club Pulse, expecting to spend the last few hours of their evenings there, not their lives.
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz
After attending high school in New Jersey, Peter moved to Florida and was currently working as a UPS worker. Having a life full of promise and more living ahead of him than behind him, his life came to screeching halt on the bloody Sunday in Pulse.
Luis S. Vielma
At 22 years old, he was a ride attendant at Universal’s The Wizarding Ride of Harry Potter and studying to become a physical therapy assistant at Seminole State college in Florida. Friends regard Vielma as a wonderful, amazing, kind, and trustworthy person, with a knack for bringing smiles to people’s faces according to Heavy. The afternoon before he died, he posted a picture to his Facebook with his friends, with the caption, “True friends who become family,” a post that seems to embody who this young man was.
Kimberly Morris
Moving two months ago from Hawaii to help her mother and grandmother move, Kimberly had good intentions on her return to Orlando, working as a bouncer at Pulse. “She was thrilled to get more involved in the LGBT community there,” stated her ex-girlfriend Starr Shelton.
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice
An accountant, he texted his mother frantically when the gunshots sounded Sunday morning. His mother was awoken by the texts. “Mommy I love you,” was the first text received, followed by “in the club they are shooting.” “Trapped in the bathroom downtown, call the police, i am going to die.” and “He’s a terror,” they continued. These chilling texts create an all too real picture of the horror story that took place early Sunday Morning. 15 hours after she received the last text from her son, his mother Mina was informed her son was one of the casualties.
Darryl Roman Burt II
Darryl worked as a financial aid officer at Keiser University in Jacksonville, working hand-in-hand with military students since 2014. Prior to that, Darryl worked as a District Manager for training at McDonalds for two years, after being an in-store managers at Forever 21 in 2011. Burt was a “ very nice guy. He definitely leaves a big impression and had a big personality and he is missed,” stated campus president Lisamarie Winslow.
Deonka Diedra Drayton
In a Facebook status posted by Deonka “Dee Dee”’s aunt Patricia Banks, she states her niece was simply working at the club, when the terrorist opened fire on everyone inside.
Anthony Luis Laureano Disla
Anthony was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and graduated Universidad del Sagrado Corazon with a degree in elementary education 2010. Anthony would dress in drag and become “Alanis Laurell.” He attended the club with his cousin Lucas D’oleo, who was fortunate enough to leave, but was concerned when he had not seen Anthony leave. Lucas posted on Facebook, “What I have is irreparable pain. I love you cousin.”
Jean Carlo Mendez Perez
Jean worked at Perfumania as a sales associate, who would greet customers with a friendly smile, and share a few laughs with customers, even meeting his partner after selling him a fragrance they bonded over. Mendez was uncle to three children who brought out his inner child. “He was like a little kid when he was with them,” explained Katie Mendez, his sister in law.
Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez
Born in San juan, Puerto Rico, Velazquez moved to America after graduating Inter American University and had a career at Forever 21 working a visual merchandiser.
Amanda Alvear
Amanda was a young woman who proved she could overcome struggle after losing 180 pounds through gastric bypass surgery and a kindled enjoyment for working out. Working as a pharmacy technician, it was evident that she had a desire to help others. She lived with her parents and had respect for their love and concern of her, always sending a text or call stating if she was coming home. Her brother’s home was filled with friends Sunday fearing the worst after her parents never received a call.
Martin Benitez Torres
Martin was on vacation in Orlando visiting family and taking a break from his studies at Ana G. Mendez University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Torres was full of life early Saturday, actively posting on Facebook so his friends and family in Puerto Rico could see the events of his vacation. His sister and cousins posted photos of him on Facebook and one family member posted a status that states, “I can’t believe my cousin is gone too soon. He was an amazing person inside and out. I am so tired of people killing other people like our friends and family.”
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon
Luis was raised in Puerto Rico and moved to mainland America knowing very little English. He worked in a shoe store and was quickly promoted to the management position of the store. He walked into Perfumania one day and met Jean Carlos Mendez Perez. The two were inseparable for the next eight years until Sunday, when both men were murdered in the name of Jihad.
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado
“I can’t believe you’re gone, and gone too soon,” Antonia Doric writes in Facebook tribute to her friend. “You will remain living in the memories of all the people who have been lucky enough to have met you and those special memories will always bring a smile. May your beautiful soul rest in peace.” Xavier worked in the Mickey’s Rockin Road Show in Disney Live, according to Heavy and was a big fan of dancing, even dancing in Atlanta’s annual Bachata Fest, a four-day Latin music festival. Xavier will not be able to dance next year.
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez
Menendez moved to Orlando a couple of years ago after spending his childhood in Manati, Puerto Rico. He was attending school at Ana G. Mendez University at the Orlando campus. In a message sent to the Orlando Sentinel, his aunt Silva-Laurer explained, “He is my older brother’s only child and he was the light and life of all the family gatherings. This all feels like a dream, and I’m going to wake up and he will be texting me or calling me to tell me he is ok.”
Enrique L. Rios Jr.
Leaving behind New York to celebrate a friend’s birthday in Orlando, Rios went to Florida hoping to enjoy himself, taking a break from his job as a social worker. According to the New York Daily News, in the last phone conversation Rios had with his mother, Gertrude Merced, “He sounded so happy.” Having trouble obtaining the $4,000 it will cost to bring her son back Merced says, “My family is torn apart and all I would like is to have my son with me so he can [have] the funeral he deserves,” according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Miguel Angel Honorato
Miguel was a parent of three children that will now grow up without a father. In a Facebook comment of a photo of Miguel and his brother Jose, a friend writes, “ I am sorry for your loss he was an amazing loving and caring person.”
Javier Jorge-Reyes
Javier – or Javi, if he was your friend – moved from Puerto Rico to central Florida and began working at the Gucci store in the mall where he was a natural salesman, and found his niche. A friend of his, Jose Diaz, explained that Javi enjoyed going out, so it was not unusual for Javi to enjoy a night at the club. Unfortunately, Javi was one of the fifty people met by the jihadist gunman.
Jason Benjamin Josaphat
Jason is the youngest victim identified at just 19 years of age. Josaphat had started attending classes at Valencia College after graduating high school, studying computer science. His aunt and uncle explained he had a passion for photography and desired to pursue a career there, according to the Orlando Sentinel. He called his mother Myrlande Bebe as he found himself hiding in the bathroom stall, while she dialed 911 from another phone, as gun shots become louder. This is the last memory she has of her son.
Cory James Connell
Cory was a person that left an impression on others. It seems he was one of those people that made others around him happier and better. He was the type of student his teachers from years ago remember and adored, according to the Orlando Sentinel, described by his middle school teacher Shelly Klein as “Our all time favorite.” He had every intention of becoming a firefighter and he certainly had time to make that dream a reality at 21.
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez
Juan was a true entrepreneur who had achieved the American dream. Moving from Barceloneta, Puerto Rico to America, he was the owner of D’magaazine Salon & Spa according to Heavy. Looking to enjoy a weekend evening at Pulse before the work week with Luis Daniel Conde, both were brutally murdered.
Luis Daniel Conde
Luis Conde had originally been from Lorenzo, Puerto Rico. After moving to America, he lived in Orlando. Luis had gone to enjoy an evening with Juan Rivera, his partner in life and their salon, at the dance club, not knowing at all he would not live to see another day.
Shane Evan Tomlinson
A very gifted singer, Shane Tomlinson could connect with an audience of all ages, singing hits from the 1970’s to the 2010’s, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Blue Martini night club had him booked for three shows in the upcoming weeks, and Carey Sobel had booked shane for an upcoming wedding, but his voice will never grace a stage again.
Juan Chevez-Martinez
Working as the housekeeping supervisor at a staffing partner of Reunion Resorts in Kissimmee, Florida at ADPC services, Juan was beloved by his co-workers. Described as an “extremely dedicated, hard worker” by his supervisor, Juan leaves behind a lot of friends and two brothers who would like to remain anonymous in their time of grieving. His family is trying to raise the funds to bring his body back to Mexico, to give him the proper burial he deserves.
These twenty one victims have been identified, but their information is not yet available:
Alejandro Barrios Martinez-21
Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez -31
Mercedez Marisol Flores- 26
Oscar A Aracena- Montero 26
Joel Rayon Paniagua-32
Jerald Arthur Wright -31-
Leroy Valentin Fernandez -25-
Tevin Eugene Crosby -25-
Jonathon Antonio Camuy Vega -24-
Jean C. Nives Rodriguez -27-
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala -33-
Brenda Lee Marquez McCool -49-
Yilmary Rodriguez Sulivan -24-
Christopher Andrew Leinonen -32-
Angel Candelario-Padro -28-
Frank Hernandez -27-
Paul Terrel Henry -41-
Antonio Davon Brown- 29-
Christopher Joesph Sanfeliz -24-
Akyra Monet Murray -18-
Geraldo A. Oritz- Jiminez -25-