As late afternoon darkened toward night Sunday, there were candles lit on the grounds of the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Buffalo in memory of those murdered in a popular gay club in Orlando.The vigil shaded by the century-old church building's trees was spare and short, praying for those killed much earlier in the day. There is another vigil planned for 6 p.m. Monday in Niagara Square.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown ordered the lights on top of City Hall lit orange in memory of those murdered in the Florida city. Similar symbols of support could be found across the nation.
Unitarian Church Pastor Joan Montagnes described what happened as senseless, hate-filled violence.
"Our task this evening is to grieve, to gather together for comfort, to remind each other that there is no larger compassion than what we have when we are together," Montagnes said.
The crowd held lit candles and stood silently for several minutes remembering those killed.
The below list of individuals fromthe City of Orlando includes victims who have lost their lives during the incident, and next of kin have been contacted. As the city continues to reach out to the families of victims, the list will be updated.
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old
Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 years old
Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 years old
Luis S. Vielma, 22 years old
Kimberly Morris, 37 years old
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old
Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old
Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old
Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25 years old
Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old
Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50 years old
Amanda Alvear, 25 years old
Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 years old
Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35 years old
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25 years old
Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31 years old
Oscar A Aracena-Montero, 26 years old
Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 years old
