49 'angels' honor Pulse victims, 6 months after mass shooting

Memorial held Monday

ORLANDO, Fla. – Hundreds gathered outside Pulse Nightclub on Monday night to remember the 49 people who lost their lives in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

Hundreds of people were allowed inside the fenced-off area, just inches away from the building, to hear prayers, songs and words of inspiration.

Speakers included Pulse owner Barbara Poma, Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, members of local clergy and performers from the Orlando Gay Chorus.

"It's a surreal feeling," said Jayme Glaspie as she watched 49 people with angel wings walk a half-mile down Orange Avenue. They represented the 49 people killed six months ago.

Glaspie said she came to remember her best friend, Paul Terrell Henry, 41.

"It was the most beautiful thing ever because Paul was a man of God," Glaspie said. "It was just fitting for everybody -- all the prayers and all the love that we've gotten losing all 49 people."

Orlando Police Chief John Mina also came to pay his respects.

He told News 6 this was the first time he had returned to the nightclub at night since June 12.

"It's a little bit hard coming back here," he said. "One, knowing that all those lives were lost here, and two, also to know the horrific things that my officers had to see here that night."

Mina said he wanted people to feel safe as they came to pay their respects to the victims.


About the Authors:

Erik Sandoval joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2013 and became an Investigator in 2020. During his time at News 6, Erik has covered several major stories, including the 2016 Presidential campaign. He was also one of the first reporters live on the air at the Pulse Nightclub shooting.