Top: Photo Illustration / Henry Frederick / Headline Surfer
By HENRY FREDERICK / headline Surfer
ORLANDO, Fla. -- "Come out with your hands up, or you will die!"
Those were the orders called out by law enforcement - namely Orlando cops and Orange County deputies - to the gunman who massacred dozens of patrons inside the Pulse Nightclub on June 12, 2016.
Today, June 12, 2025, marks the ninth anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting, which took place on June 12, 2016.
A lone gunman, Omar Mateen, a security guard working for G4S, opened fire at the Orlando, Florida nightclub, killing 49 people and injuring 53 more. Mateen took hostages after cops arrived and engaged in a gunfight with him. At approximately 5:14 a.m., police shot and killed Mateen, ending the shooting.
A total of 49 people were left dead, along with Mateen, and 53 others were injured. Mateen was reported to have fired at least 110 rounds during the entire event. The attack was the deadliest known incident of violence against LGBT people in U.S. history and the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in the United States until the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.
In videos, Pulse patrons could be seen running from the club as cops rushed inside to search for the shooter, as sounds of automatic gunfire could be heard in the background. Inside the nightclub, shattered glass littered the floor, and officers could be heard asking patrons if they were
The Orlando Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff's Offioce responded to the June 12 mass shooting, which was carried out by Omar Mateen and left 49 dead and dozens injured. It was the worst act of domestic terrorism since 9/11.
Mateen, 29, In speaking with crisis negotiation officials, called himself an “Islamic soldier.” He was killed after three-hour confrontation with law enforcement officials.
In other clips, officers could be heard talking about the bloodshed and the search for survivors.
"Who still has gloves so we can check this one's pulse, did anyone check this one?" a cop asked. A few seconds later, another officer replied: "I got no pulse."
Multimedia Video:
The Faces of the Victims
Headline Surfer YouTube download / ITV News video / Here are the names and faces of the 49 people killed in the Orlando LGBT nightclub shooting.
Details of the attack:
- Date: June 12, 2016.
- Location: Pulse, an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
- Victims: 49 people were killed, and 53 others were injured.
- Perpetrator: Omar Mateen, who was killed by police.
- Significance: It was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history at the time, and the deadliest act of violence against the LGBTQ+ community in U.S. history.
Remembering the victims:
- Annual ceremonies and vigils are held to honor the victims.
- Survivors and families of the victims have been visiting the nightclub this week before its demolition to build a permanent memorial.
- The City of Orlando purchased the site in 2023 and is moving forward with plans for a memorial, which is expected to be completed by 2027.
The 49 victims of the Pulse Massacre:
Edward Sotomayor Jr. | Stanley Almodovar III | Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo | Juan Ramon Guerrero | Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera | Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz | Luis S. Vielma | Kimberly Morris | Eddie Jamoldroy Justice | Darryl Roman Burt II | Deonka Drayton | Alejandro Barrios Martinez | Anthony Luis Laureanodisla | Jean Carlos Mendez Perez | Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez | Amanda Alvear | Martin Benitez Torres | Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon | Mercedez Marisol Flores | Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado | Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez | Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez | Oscar A Aracena-Montero | Enrique L. Rios, Jr. | Miguel Angel Honorato | Javier Jorge-Reyes | Joel Rayon Paniagua | Jason Benjamin Josaphat | Cory James Connell | Juan P. Rivera Velazquez | Luis Daniel Conde | Shane Evan Tomlinson | Juan Chevez-Martinez | Jerald Arthur Wright | Leroy Valentin Fernandez | Tevin Eugene Crosby | Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega | Jean Carlos Nieves Rodriguez | Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala | Brenda Lee Marquez McCool | Yilmary Rodriguez Sulivan | Christopher Andrew Leinonen | Angel L. Candelario-Padro | Frank Hernandez | Paul Terrell Henry | Antonio Davon Brown | Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz | Akyra Monet Murray | Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez.
Tonight, the LGBT Liaisons from the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) and the Orlando Police Department joined the families and survivors of the Pulse Nightclub attack for "A Day of Remembrance" at First United Methodist Church in City of Orlando - Government.
We thank the first responders who risked their lives on June 12, 2016, while serving our community. We will never forget the 49 angels we gained and will not let hate win.
Multimedia Videos:
Pulse Conversation: Sheriff John Mina & Undersheriff Mark Canty
At the time of the shooting at Pulse Orlando, John Mina, Orange County Sheriff was Chief of the Orlando Police Department. Undersheriff Mark Canty was the SWAT Team Commander. Mina and Canty sat down to discuss the Pulse shooting, how law enforcement and the community responded, and how to honor the victims.
#NeverForget #WeWillNotLetHateWin
Bomb Squad at Pulse
Bomb Squad Commander Lt. Chris Hall coordinated the explosive breach at Pulse nightclub. He later sent a robot into the club to search the suspect and make sure he wasn't wearing an explosive vest. Forty-nine people were killed and dozens were injured in the senseless shooting on June 12, 2016.
#NeverForget #WeWillNotLetHateWin
Two brothers in uniform made a pact
BROTHERS’ PACT: While responding to the Pulse nightclub shooting, two brothers in uniform made a pact in the event a bomb exploded inside the club.
#NeverForget #WeWillNotLetHateWin
Editor's Note: Henry Frederick, the multi-award-winning journalist with Headline Surfer, was unable to cover the Pulse Massacre on-scene as it was happening, as he was recovering at home from life-saving surgery at Orlando Regional Medical Center for an aortic aneurysm tear. He was able to do some limited reporting from home as well as some follow-up coverage.
About the Byline Writer: