What Happened at Pulse Nightclub
On June 12, 2016, a gunman opened fire inside Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The attack lasted several hours and ended when law enforcement breached the building. It remains one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history.
Victims and Casualties
Forty-nine people were killed and dozens were injured. Most victims were Latino LGBTQ+ patrons. The event had a profound impact on the LGBTQ+ community and sparked national conversations about gun violence and hate crimes.
Investigation and Aftermath
Authorities identified the shooter as Omar Mateen, who pledged allegiance to a terrorist group during the attack. The FBI investigated the incident as both an act of terrorism and a hate crime. In the years following, survivors and families pursued legal settlements and memorial efforts. For more details, see the official report summary at FBI overview.
