Forty-nine people were killed and another 53 injured when Omar S. Mateen opened fire at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida early Sunday morning. As dozens of bodies were removed from the popular gay club Sunday, authorities began releasing some of the names of those killed in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
READ MORE: Bodies removed from Orlando nightclub as investigation continues
The city of Orlando is releasing the identities of the victims as their next of kins are contacted. As of Monday morning, the names of 26 men and women had been identified as victims of the shooting rampage. The youngest, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, was 20-years-old; the eldest, Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, was 50.
As the names of those killed are slowly released, tributes continue to pour in on social media. Here is a look at how some of the victims are being remembered:
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34
According to multiple posts on social media, Sotomayor worked as a brand manager for gay travel company Al and Chuck Travel.
“Heart breaks for Eddie Sotomayor’s partner, family, friends and co-workers at Legendary Journeys ALandCHUCK.travel,” wrote Al Ferguson, owner of Al and Chuck Travel, on Facebook. “This is too much. It makes no sense.”
Ferguson also shared a Snapchat video Sotomayor reportedly sent to him earlier in the night from Pulse Nightclub, with a text saying, “My people are here.”
A Facebook page appearing to belong to Sotomayor has been changed to a memorialized account, which happens when Facebook is notified of a death by the account holder’s family or friends. According to the account, Sotomayor was originally from Sarasota, Florida.
“I’ve lost one of my very best friends,” wrote friend Braden Chapman on Facebook. “He celebrated and loved life and always wanted to make sure everyone has enjoying life as much as he did every day. I still can not believe this is true and it makes zero sense to me. Rest in peace Eddie. I miss you friend so much already.”
Luis Vielma, 22
Early Monday morning, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling tweeted a picture of a young man named Luis Vielma – a 22-year-old ride attendant on the Harry Potter And the Forbidden Journey ride at Universal Studios Orlando. Vielma was killed during the shooting.
“I can’t stop crying,” Rowling tweeted.
“Luis Vielma had such a positive attitude. Always happy and a joy to be around. His family is in my prayers. This is all so surreal still,” friend Jonathon Timpanelli said on Facebook.
Vielma’s Facebook page has been changed to a memorialized account.
Eddie Justice, 30
During the chaos of the shooting, 30-year-old Eddie Justice texted his mother while he was trapped in the bathroom at Pulse Nightclub.
“Mommy I love you,” the first message said. It was 2:06 a.m. “In club they shooting.”
After a flurry of texts Justice’s mother, Mina Justice, called 911 to report the shooting. At At 2:39 a.m., Eddie texted his mother saying, “He’s coming I’m gonna die.” She asked if the shooter was in the bathroom with him and one minute later she received the last text message from her son, “Yes.”
His mother described Justice as a homebody who liked to eat, work out and make everyone laugh. He worked as an accountant and lived in a condo in downtown Orlando.
“Lives in a sky house, like the Jeffersons,” she said. “He lives rich.”
Justice was later confirmed as deceased by the city of Orlando.
Amanda Alvear, 25 and Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26
Amanda Alvear and her friend Mercedez Flores were both killed during the attack. In a Facebook post, Alvear’s sister, Ashley Velez, said, “This two beautiful souls have been taken way to soon. My sister Amanda is on the right and her best friend Mercedez Flores. You girls will be missed.”
According to a Facebook post, Alvear reportedly sent her friends a Snapchat video from inside the nightclub in which you can hear the sound of gun shots.
VIDEO: Victim’s Snapchat video captures moment of shooting at Pulse Nightclub
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25
“Near or far we are blood and loss like this is difficult to swallow. Love and prayers to you all Gilbert Silva RIP (Prayers for all those families facing the loss of their loved ones to such a tragedy) my heart breaks,” wrote 25-year-old Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez’s cousin on Facebook Monday. “Tomorrow is not promised so please extend yourselves a little more, don’t take life for granted and tell those that are currently in your life how much they mean to you.”
Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33
Shane Tomlinson was an East Carolina University alumni and musician, according to his Facebook page. On social media, friends remembered Tomlinson as a talented musician with a “shining positivity.”
“My house brother who slayed, an artist who was an inspiration to me and encouraged me when I started doing comedy… is dead,” wrote friend Anthony Oakes on Facebook.
“He’s dead because some coward couldn’t deal with his own afflictions and decided to kill him with an assault rifle. He was killed because he was like me.”
Kimberly “K.J.” Morris, 37
Kimberly “K.J.” Morris was a bouncer at Pulse Nightclub. According to the Orlando Sentinel, she had just moved to Orlando two months ago to help take care of her mother and grandmother.
“She was so excited. She’d just started working there and told me how she was thrilled to get more involved in the LGBT community there,” Morris’ ex-girlfriend Starr Shelton told the Orlando Sentinel.
“KJ was one of the most welcoming people I’ve ever met,” a friend wrote on Facebook. “She was so cool, so chill and so genuine.”
A full list of the victims can be found here.
– With files from The Associated Press
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