Former Pulse Nightclub Owners Cleared of Manslaughter in 2016 Mass Shooting

The Orlando Police Department has cleared the former owners of the Pulse nightclub of involuntary manslaughter charges related to the 2016 mass shooting. The investigation concluded that the owners did not act with "reckless disregard for human life" and could not have anticipated the terrorist attack.

The former owners of the Pulse nightclub, Barbara and Rosario Poma, have been cleared of involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the June 2016 mass shooting in Orlando, Florida. The Orlando Police Department (OPD) conducted a year-long investigation into potential criminal charges against the Pomas, but concluded that there was no basis for prosecution.

Former Pulse Nightclub Owners Cleared of Manslaughter in 2016 Mass Shooting

The investigation included interviews with 23 people who alleged that code violations and unpermitted renovations at the nightclub may have contributed to the high death toll. Some survivors claimed that police did not have access to floor plans during the three-hour hostage situation and that the nightclub operated with a permit designated for a restaurant and bar instead of a club.

However, the OPD found that it is not standard procedure for officers to have immediate access to floor plans for private businesses, and that not having this access did not hinder the law enforcement response. The investigation also confirmed that while unpermitted renovations were made to the nightclub, the occupancy regulations were complied with during unannounced inspections conducted by the Orlando Fire Department.

Former Pulse Nightclub Owners Cleared of Manslaughter in 2016 Mass Shooting

The FBI previously concluded that the gunman, Omar Mateen, carried out the mass shooting in support of ISIS, killing 49 people and wounding 53 others. Mateen was killed after a three-hour standoff with SWAT team members.

The OPD concluded that the Pomas' actions did not rise to the level of "reckless disregard for human life" and that they could not have reasonably foreseen a terrorist attack at the nightclub. The report stated that Mateen acted alone and that the Pulse owners are not criminally liable for his actions.

Former Pulse Nightclub Owners Cleared of Manslaughter in 2016 Mass Shooting

The OPD has closed the Pomas' case, and the former owners are no longer under investigation. However, some survivors have expressed disagreement with the investigation's findings, arguing that code violations and security failures contributed to the tragedy.

Orlando Torres, a Pulse survivor who played dead in the bathroom until first responders arrived, told Fox 35 that "people trying to escape couldn't escape" because of alleged code violations. He believes that someone should be held liable for the deaths of those who could not escape.

Former Pulse Nightclub Owners Cleared of Manslaughter in 2016 Mass Shooting

The Pulse nightclub has since been purchased by the City of Orlando and is being converted into a permanent memorial to honor the victims of the shooting. The site remains a somber reminder of the tragic loss of life and the resilience shown by the Orlando community in the face of adversity.

The investigation into the Pulse nightclub shooting has been a complex and emotional process. While the Pomas have been cleared of criminal charges, the survivors continue to grapple with the pain and loss caused by the tragedy. The memorial at the former Pulse site serves as a symbol of remembrance and a testament to the unyielding spirit of the Orlando community.

The investigation's closure brings a sense of finality to the legal proceedings related to the Pulse nightclub shooting. However, the memory of the victims and the scars left on the survivors will forever be etched in the collective consciousness of the nation. The Pulse memorial will serve as a lasting tribute to those who were lost and a reminder of the importance of unity and compassion in the face of darkness.