#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: Mourning Those Lost in Orlando
Today, we continue to mourn those lost in Orlando and remember the lives of the many — almost all LGBTQ Latinx people — who were taken far too soon.
This is what we currently know about the 49 victims, whose names have all been released. Names marked with an asterisk were recently added. 53 others were injured. Recent reports list six in critical condition.
Stanley Almodovar III, 23
Originally from Massachusetts, Stanley worked as a pharmacy technician in Clermont, Florida. Friends have been taking to social media to comment on his “bubbly,” “down to earth” personality.
Photo credit: Stanley Almodovar III’s Facebook page.
Amanda Alvear, 25
Amanda was a beloved sister and godmother. Before the shooting, Amanda posted videos to Snapchat showing herself and friend, Mercedez Marisol Flores, dancing and enjoying themselves at Pulse. Mercedez was another victim of the shooting.
Photo credit: Amanda Alvear’s Facebook page.
Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26
Friends Simon and Oscar were at Pulse together. “I’m so heartbroken that you guys and so many other friends lost their lives in such a senseless act. I pray for strength and courage for us all,” a friend wrote on Facebook.
Photo credit: Oscar A. Aracena-Montero’s Facebook page.
Darryl Roman Burt II, 29*
Darryl was a financial aid officer at Keiser University and a passionate volunteer. The president of the Jacksonville Jaycees, which Darryl was a member of, described him as “always interested in a positive impact on people’s lives in the community.”
Photo credit: Jacksonville Jaycees’ Facebook page.
Juan Chavez-Martinez, 25*
Juan, a Davenport resident, was known by his colleagues as a kind and loving person. This Facebook lists his hometown as Huichapan, Mexico.
Photo credit: Fusion’s Facebook page.
Luis Daniel Conde, 39*
Luis, originally from San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, was with his loving partner, Juan P. Rivera Velazquez at Pulse; both men were killed in the shooting. Conde was known by his loved ones as a fun-loving person with a great sense of humor.
Photo credit: Nelida Rubio Bauza’s Facebook page.
Cory James Connell, 21*
Cory was well-loved; his teachers described him as “their all-time favorite” student. His brother took to Facebook to share his grief: “The world lost an amazing soul, today. God just got the best of angels.”
Photo credit: Cory James Connell’s Facebook page.
Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, 25
Anthony was a graduate of the University of the Sacred Heart in Santurce, Puerto Rico, where he studied education. He was a well-known drag artist in Orlando, performing as Alanis Laurell.
Photo credit: Lucas Daniel Acosta D’oleo’s Facebook page.
Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32
Deonka, known as Dee Dee, was working at Pulse when the massacre occurred, according to a family member. “Senseless,” her aunt wrote on Facebook. “R.I.P. Dee Dee. You know this Auntie will miss you.”
Photo credit: Patricia Drayton Banks’ Facebook page.
Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31
Simon was a manager at McDonald’s who was well loved — he was known for bringing in cakes to celebrate the birthdays of each and every employee. Simon and his partner, Oscar Aracena-Montero, were killed just after returning from vacation at Niagara Falls.
Photo credit: Simon Adrian Carillo Fernandez’s Facebook page.
Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26
Mercedez was at Pulse with her friend, Amanda Alvear, when the shooting occurred. She was a student at Valencia Community College and worked at the local Target.
Photo credit: Mercedez Marisol Flores’ Facebook page.
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22
Peter worked at UPS and spent his high school years in New Jersey. On Facebook, his mother thanked everyone for reaching out and expressed “deep and immense pain” at the loss of her son.
Photo credit: Facebook.
Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22
According to reports, Juan was at the club with his boyfriend, Christopher Andrew Leinonen, at the time of shooting. Both men died.
Photo credit: Juan Ramon Guerrero’s Instagram.
Miguel Angel Honorato, 30
A resident of Apopka, Florida, Miguel worked for FajitaMex Mexican Catering. On Facebook, his brother wrote: “I can’t face the fact that my blood brother is gone. May your soul rest in peace Brother. I love you so much.”
Photo credit: Miguel Angel Honorato’s Facebook page.
Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40
Javier, of Orlando, worked as a supervisor at Gucci. He was originally from Guayama, Puerto Rico, and studied at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. Said one Facebook friend: “Your energy and love of life and of all things beautiful was infectious…You were one of a kind.”
Photo credit: Harvey George Kings’ Facebook page.
Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19*
Jason was an ambitious young man with many passions — computers, athletics and photography. Jason’s uncle described him as “very excited about his journey.”
Photo credit: Jason Bebe’s Facebook page.
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30
Eddie was an accountant and loved to make other people smile. He was able to text his mother before he died Sunday night — saying that he loved her and to call the police.
Photo credit: Courtney Robinson’s Facebook page.
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21
A Cuban news source identified Alejandro, and spoke with his family and friends, who described him as “always very positive.”
Photo credit: Cubanos Por El Mundo
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25
Gilberto studied health care management at Ana G. Méndez University, and worked as a sales associate at Speedway. He was originally from Manatí, Puerto Rico.
Photo credit: Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez’s Facebook page.
K.J. Morris, 37
K.J. was a bouncer at Pulse, known for her excellent dancing and amazing smile that could light up a room. She previously lived in Massachusetts.
Photo credit: K.J. Morris’ Facebook page.
Akyra Monet Murray, 18*
Akyra was a recent graduate from West Catholic Preparatory High School in Philadelphia, where she was a top student and top athlete on the women’s basketball team. She had recently signed to play at Mercyhurst College in Pennsylvania.
Photo credit: West Philadelphia Catholic High School Alums’ Facebook page.
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20
Omar loved to dance, and dreamed of becoming a performer. He grew up in Nashville, Tenn., and worked at a local Target and Starbucks.
Photo credit: Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo’s Facebook page.
Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25*
Geraldo, known as “Drake Ortiz” to his closest friends, was originally from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and studied law at the Universidad Del Este in Carolina.
Photo credit: Drake Ortiz’s Facebook page.
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36
Originally from Puerto Rico, Eric worked at a Party City and Sunglasses Hut. He had been married about a year and on Sunday morning his husband frantically called friends and family when he couldn’t connect with Eric.
Photo credit: Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera’s Facebook page.
Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32*
Joel love dancing, and is remembered as humble and cheerful. He was also a religious man, and attended church in Winter Garden.
Photo credit: Joel Rayon’s Facebook page.
Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35
Jean Carlos and Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon were loving partners; both men were killed in the shooting. The couple met at the perfume shop at which Jean Carlos worked.
Photo credit: Jean Carlos Mendez Perez’s Facebook page.
Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25
Enrique, from Brooklyn, New York, was vacationing in Orlando at the time of the attack. He had been working as a coordinator at True Care Home Health Care, and studied social work at St. Francis College. His mother said her family has been “torn apart.”
Photo credit: Enrique L. Rios Jr.’s Facebook page.
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35
Xavier was the father of a young son, and worked as an entertainer at Splash Bar in Panama City Beach, Florida. He was a mentor to many of his coworkers, who described him as “quick with a smile.”
Photo credit: Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado’s Facebook page.
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34
Edward handled brand management for Al and Chuck Travel, an agency that plans vacations for the LGBTQ community. On hearing news of Edward’s death, his boss Al Ferguson spent time with Edward’s family at the hospital.
Photo credit: Edward Sotomayor Jr.’s Facebook page.
Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33*
Shane was a gifted singer who performed as the frontman for the band, Frequency. He had a vibrant and charismatic stage presence, and was at Pulse following a performance at a local club.
Photo credit: Shane Tomlinson’s Facebook page.
Martin Benitez Torres, 33
Martin is from San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he studied at the Ana G. Méndez University system. He was in Orlando visiting his family.
Photo credit: Martin Benitez Torres’ Facebook page.
Franky Jimmy De Jesús Velazquez, 50
Frankie was a visual merchandiser at Forever 21 and studied at InterAmerican University in Puerto Rico. His family took to Facebook to share their love of Franky, saying “What happened in Orlando affects all of us because it is an act of hate against the freedom to be who you are.”
Photo credit: Vane La Croix’s Facebook page.
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37*
Juan was the owner of D’Magazine Salon and Spa in Kissimmee, Florida. Originally from Puerto Rico, Juan was at Pulse with his longtime partner Luis Conde for a friend’s birthday celebration.
Photo credit: Juan P. Rivera’s Facebook page.
Luis S. Vielma, 22
Luis was a student at Seminole State College and worked as an operator for Universal Studios’ Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride. On Sunday, J.K. Rowling shared her heartbreak.
Photo credit: Luis Vielma’s Facebook page.
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37
Luis and Jean Carlos Mendez Perez were loving partners; both men were killed in the shooting. Luis was a Puerto Rico native and his friends describe him as a protector, confidant and hero.
Photo credit: Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon’s Facebook page.
Jerald Arthur Wright, 31*
Jerald was an employee at Walt Disney World, and was well loved by both of his families — his biological one and his Disney family. He was at Pulse to celebrate a friend’s birthday.
Photo credit: Jerry Wright’s Facebook page.
Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25*
Leroy was a leasing agent at an Orlando apartment complex and a vibrant performer who loved Beyonce, Adele and Jennifer Lopez. His friend described her grief: “It just feels very quiet now.”
Photo credit: Yolanda Quiñones’ Facebook page.
Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25*
Tevin, a Michigan native, was the ambitious owner of Total Entrepreneurs Concepts. He was visiting Orlando after traveling to watch his nieces and nephews graduate.
Photo credit: Tevin Crosby’s Facebook page.
Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24*
Jonathan worked for a Spanish TV network as a producer of a popular children’s talent competition. He was a member the National Association of Hispanic Journalists in Puerto Rico before moving to Florida.
Photo credit: Jonathan A. Camuy’s Facebook page.
Jean Carlos Nieves Rodriguez, 27*
Jean Carlos was a manager at a local McDonald’s, and was known for being incredibly dependable. His closest friends describe him as “just a caring, loving guy — just like a big teddy bear.”
Photo credit: Mariluz Calderon’s Facebook page.
Rodolfo Ayala, 33*
Rodolfo was a biologics assistant at the OneBlood donation center — a donation center that has been working to supply blood to the survivors of the shooting. His friend described him as compassionate and said that he loved his career.
Photo credit: Rodolfo Ayala’s Facebook page.
Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49*
Brenda was a two-time cancer survivor and real estate agent. She was a mother of 12, and was at Pulse with one of her sons for a night of dancing.
Photo credit: Brenda McCool’s Facebook page.
Yilmary Rodriguez Sulivan, 24*
Yilmary was a wife, a sister and a mother of two sons, Jariel and Sergio. Her sister described her as the most loving and caring person you could ever meet, saying “her smile lit up the room and her laughter brought a smile to your heart.”
Photo credit: Paul Myhill’s Facebook page.
Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32*
Drew was with his partner, Juan Ramon Guerrero, at the time of the shooting. Both men died. Drew had a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Central Florida, and founded a Gay-Straight Alliance in his high school.
Photo credit: Drew Leinonen’s Facebook page.
Angel Luis Candelario-Padro, 28*
Angel moved to Orlando from Chicago, and started a job as an ophthalmic technician only four days before the shooting. He is from Guánica, Puerto Rico, and described himself online as “adventurous, easygoing and responsible.”
Photo credit: Angel Candelario’s Facebook page.
Frankie Hernandez, 27*
Frankie was a loving big brother who taught his little sisters how to walk in heels and to do their hair and makeup. Frankie has a tattoo on his upper right arm reading “love has no gender,” and moved to Orlando from Louisiana.
Photo credit: Aquí Estamos RGV’s Facebook page.
Paul Terrell Henry, 41*
Paul was planning to return to college. He was a Chicago native, and loved dancing and playing pool. He had two children — including a daughter who just graduated from high school.
Photo credit: Jemuel Carty’s Facebook page.
Antonio Davon Brown, 29*
Antonio was a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. He had previously been a member of the Army Officers’ Training Corps at Florida A&M University.
Photo credit: Florida A&M University
Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24*
Christopher worked at a local bank and was known for having a positive outlook on life. He was very close to his family, and told family members earlier in the weekend that he planned to go to Pulse with friends.
Photo credit: Christopher Sanfeliz’s Facebook page.
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For those looking to help the victims and their families, as well as lift up your LGBTQ loved ones during this time, HRC has highlighted four ways to come together to show your support. You may also support the victims and their families by donating to Equality Florida’s Go Fund Me page.
A LOOK AT THEIR STORIES: The Orlando Sentinel is honoring the memory of each of the victims by recounting stories from friends, coworkers and loved ones. Two of these stories — of Angel Luis Candelario-Padro and Jonathan Camuy — celebrate the drive of two people who had recently moved to Orlando to pursue their passions. The Florida publication also lifted up the story of Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, a two-time cancer survivor, who went out to Pulse’s Latin night to dance with her son, a survivor of the attack… In a heartbreaking account, TIME shared the story of partners Juan Ramon Guerrero and Christopher “Drew” Leinonen, victims of the attack who planned to get married but will now have a joint funeral instead… HRC and BuzzFeed also hail the heroes who stayed behind at Pulse to save the lives of countless survivors of the attack. These are just a few of the stories that, even in this time of immense grief, are reminding us all of our common humanity. Read and share.
Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to A.M. Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!
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