Pulse Nightclub Owners Won’t Face Charges in Connection To Shooting

The Pulse Nightclub owners will not face criminal charges following a thorough investigation into the 2016 mass shooting.

At a Glance

The Orlando Police Department closed its investigation into the former owners of the Pulse nightclub without filing any charges.
Victims’ families and survivors had requested the investigation for criminal culpability.
No charges were filed due to lack of probable cause for involuntary manslaughter by culpable negligence.
Investigators were unable to interview the Pomas despite efforts to reach them.

Investigation Concludes Without Charges

The Orlando Police Department announced on August 28, 2024, the conclusion of its investigation into the former owners of the Pulse Nightclub, Barbara and Rosario Poma. Despite extensive scrutiny, the investigation did not yield sufficient evidence to charge the Pomas with involuntary manslaughter by culpable negligence.

The investigation spanned over several months, with about two dozen survivors and family members of the victims providing statements. They had requested the probe to determine if the nightclub’s owners held any criminal responsibility for what was at the time the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

Pulse nightclub owners will not face charges over 2016 mass shooting https://t.co/ztXc4a7JMf

— Guardian news (@guardiannews) August 28, 2024

Allegations and Findings

The families’ claims centered around several allegations: lack of building plans for first responders, unpermitted renovations, possible overcapacity, violations of the conditional use permit, and security failures. Despite these serious allegations, investigators found no probable cause to hold the Pomas criminally liable. They concluded that the lack of building plans did not hinder rescuers and that the number of individuals in the club at the time of the shooting could not be determined.

“They could not have reasonably foreseen or anticipated a terrorist incident taking place at Pulse,” investigators said.

The Pulse shooting occurred on June 12, 2016, when Omar Mateen opened fire during a Latin night celebration, tragically killing 49 people and wounding 53. Mateen, a radicalized individual who pledged allegiance to ISIS during the attack, was ultimately neutralized by police.

Aftermath and Ongoing Controversy

The city of Orlando bought the Pulse property last year for $2 million with intentions to build a memorial. Initially, there were plans to create a $100 million museum, but these have since been scaled back to a more modest memorial. An advisory board has been established to guide the development of the site, aiming to honor the victims and provide a place for reflection and healing. Debate continues regarding the proper handling and development of sites affected by mass shootings.

The group Pulse Families and Survivors for Justice has openly criticized the investigation, calling it a “sham.” Survivors like Orlando Torres expressed frustration over the findings, believing that lax adherence to safety codes played a role in the fatalities, stating, “People trying to escape couldn’t escape—not all, but many of those.” He went on to say that “someone” had to be held accountable, and that everything needed to be “up to code.”