Counties offer sympathy for victims in wake of tragic Florida shooting

Thousands of people, lighted candles raised, attended a two-hour vigil in Orlando, the county seat of Orange County, Fla. on June 13, in memory of the 49 people killed and 53 injured in the mass shooting at the Pulse Nightclub.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, the survivors and their families as they mourn and attempt to recover from such unspeakable tragedy. We also praise the many members of law enforcement, medical personnel and other first responders who fulfilled their duties with valor under incredibly trying circumstances."
-NACo President Sallie Clark

In the aftermath of the mass shootings, county officials from across the nation are offering their sympathy, support and prayers.

In a letter to Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Mary Ann Borgeson, chair of the Douglas County, Neb. Board of Commissioners, wrote, “We will not be intimidated, we will not succumb to the terror of those who would pervert a religion for their own twisted goals, we will continue to be inclusive, to accept each other’s differences, to love and to stand up together against intolerance and hate.”

Omar Mateen, who police identified as the shooter, claimed his allegiance to radical Muslim organizations, according to published reports.

Tyler Massey, chair of the National Association of County LGBT Leaders & Allies, said, the organization “deplores the senseless violence committed against our sisters, brothers and allies in Orange County, Fla. The healing process will be a long one. We offer our sincere condolences to the families who are grieving the loss of sons, daughters, parents and friends.” Massey is Hidalgo County, N.M.’s elected treasurer.

Prince George’s County, Md. Executive Rushern Baker said in a statement: “We have made far too much progress and we must not let this incident set us back.”

At Orange County’s first Board of Commissioners meeting since the shootings, June 14, Jacobs said, “Tragically, our Hispanic community has also been so deeply affected, but we are all in some way impacted by the unexplainable and tragic event that took place Sunday morning. “When evil like this comes to our community, we unite…we stand as one.”

Neighboring Osceola County has created a portal to allow people to donate funds to aid the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting at www.osceola.org/osceolacares.