https://i.imgur.com/rPsQN7m.jpg
By now I’m sure you’ve all heard about the tragic shooting in Orlando yesterday. It’s the largest mass shooting in US history. Such a senseless act of violence caused by fear and lack of understanding. Our thoughts are with the victims’ families and friends today.

To those who lost someone in this attack, please know you are not alone. We can’t imagine what you’re going through right now, but we’re mourning with you.

This event will become politicized (and that’s already started), but that’s not what this post is about, and we ask you not to do so in the comments. There are political ramifications and those need to be discussed, but not now. For now, we mourn this tragedy and pay tribute to those who lost their lives:

Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old

Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old

Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 years old

Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old

Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old

Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 years old

Luis S. Vielma, 22 years old

Kimberly Morris, 37 years old

Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old

Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old

Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old

Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old

Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25 years old

Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old

Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50 years old

Amanda Alvear, 25 years old

Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old

Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 years old

Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old

Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35 years old

Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25 years old

Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31 years old

Oscar A Aracena-Montero, 26 years old

Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 years old

Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old

Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40 years old

Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 years old

Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old

Cory James Connell, 21 years old

Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37 years old

Luis Daniel Conde, 39 years old

Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old

Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25 years old

Not all the victims are known at this point, but the city of Orlando is keeping an updated list.
http://www.cityoforlando.net/blog/victims/

And NPR is reaching out to learn more about them to pay tribute to their lives, not just focus on their deaths.
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/06/12/481785763/heres-what-we-know-about-the-orlando-shooting-victims

Orlando is operating a hotline for those seeking information about friends or loved ones: 407-246-4357.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 06/13/2016 at 05:21pm

My heart goes out to those families.

jdodson   Admin wrote on 06/13/2016 at 10:06pm

Thanks Travis, I read this to Francesca and we were both very touched by your words. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this absolutely crushing event.

If you want to join this conversation you need to sign in.
Sign Up / Log In