They came to Orlando from everywhere.
The immigrant from South Africa, the native from Connecticut. The youngest was 19, the oldest 50. They were pharmacy techs, travel agents, entrepreneurs, students, and church-goers. Many were gay, lesbian, or transgender; all were someone’s son or daughter.
Now they are gone.
The 49 people murdered in the deadliest mass shooting in American history must be remembered as individuals. These are their stories. (Justin Miller, DailyBeast)
Brenda McCool, 49, raised 12 children and beat cancer twice. She was dancing at Pulse with her son, who is gay, when the gunshots began. McCool died, her son survived.
Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32, was with his boyfriend, Juan Guerrero, 22, who was also killed.
Leinonen’s mother, Christine, gave a TV interview in front of a local hospital, where she pled for help finding out what had happened to her son. “I just feel terrible. I don’t know where my son is,” she said sobbing. “We can’t get a hold of him. He was sitting right next to his boyfriend.” Leinonen started his high school’s first gay-straight alliance.
Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32, was with his boyfriend, Juan Guerrero, 22, who was also killed.
Leinonen’s mother, Christine, gave a TV interview in front of a local hospital, where she pled for help finding out what had happened to her son. “I just feel terrible. I don’t know where my son is,” she said sobbing. “We can’t get a hold of him. He was sitting right next to his boyfriend.” Leinonen started his high school’s first gay-straight alliance.
