Orlando church mourns, remembers Pulse shooting victims
The Cathedral Church of St. Luke held a special service, “Remembering Pulse: Requiem Eucharist,” to honor, remember, pray for, and mourn those killed in the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting. Orange County Sheriff John Mina, who was the Chief of Police for the Orlando Police Department at the time, attended the service. “This community has not forgotten,” he said. “We’ve not forgotten the victims. We’ve not forgotten the families.”
ORLANDO, Fla. – Families, friends, law enforcement leaders, and community members gathered at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke on Wednesday for a special service to remember, mourn, and honor those lost during the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting.
The service was titled: “Remembering Pulse: Requiem Eucharis.”
10 years since Pulse shooting
The backstory:
June 12, 2026, will mark 10 years since the deadly massacre at Pulse Nigthclub, an LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando, where 49 people were killed and more than 50 were hurt. At the time, it was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
During Wednesday’s service, Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith wore a priest stole embroidered in gold with the names of the 49 “angels” killed in the shooting.
“It’s really a very special garment,” he said.
Orange County Sheriff John Mina, who in 2016 was the Chief of Police for the Orlando Police Department, also attended the service.
What they’re saying:
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since it happened,” he said.
“This community has not forgotten. We have not forgotten the victims, we have not forgotten the families, we have not forgotten the survivors, or the first responders.”
Remembering those killed in Pulse tragedy Akyra Monet MurrayAlejandro Barrios MartinezAmanda Lizette Alvear BenabeAngel Luis Candelario PadróAnthony Luis Laureano DislaAntonio Davon BrownBrenda Marquez McCoolChristopher Andrew LeinonenChristopher Joseph SanfelizCory James ConnellDarryl “DJ” Burt, IIDeonka Deidra Drayton (Dee Dee)Eddie Jamol-Droy Justice (Brycen Banks)Edward “Eddie” Manuel Sotomayor Jr.Enrique L. Rios Jr.Eric Ivan Ortiz Rivera (Shaky)Frank Hernandez Escalante (Frankie)Franky Jimmy De Jesus VelázquezGerardo A. Ortiz JimenezGilberto Ramon Silva MenendezJason Benjamin JosaphatJavier Jorge ReyesJean Carlo Mendez PerezJean Carlos Nieves Rodriguez (Moñoño)Jerry WrightJoel Rayón PaniaguaJonathan Antonio Camuy Vega (John)Juan Chavez MartinezJuan Pablo Rivera VelázquezJuan Ramón GuerreroKimberly Jean MorrisLeroy Valentin FernándezLuis D. CondeLuis Daniel “Dani” Wilson LeonLuis Omar Ocasio CapoLuis Sergio VielmaMartin Benitez Torres (Papa)Mercedez Marisol Flores (Mari)Miguel Angel HonoratoOscar AracenaPaul Terrell Henry “Daddy”Peter Ommy Gonzalez Cruz (Ommy)Rodolfo Ayala AyalaShane Evan TomlinsonSimón Adrián Carrillo FernándezStanley Almodovar IIITevin Eugene CrosbyXavier Emmanuel Serrano-RosadoYilmary Rodriguez Solivan (Mary)
The Source: Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith presided over the service on Wednesday, June 10. FOX 35’s Hannah Mackenzie talked with Dan Smith, Father Garrett Puccetti, and Orange County Sheriff John Mina at the service about the Pulse memorial service.