ORLANDO, Fla. — A new review of the 2016 Pulse nightclub attack found law enforcement officers shot no civilians during the incident, and that the use of force was justified.
- Review: No civilians shot by LEOs during Pulse nightclub shooting
- Review examined evidence like 911 calls & witness statements
- Ayala: Use of force by law enforcement was justified
- READ IT: Full investigative report
“There is no criminal prosecution that will proceed. This is the end for us," said State Attorney Aramis Ayala, Ninth Judicial Circuit.
Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement conducted the six-month review of evidence, called a shoot review. State Attorney Aramis Ayala presented the findings Wednesday.
“Each and every engagement, no civilians were struck, and each time the law enforcement officer pulled the trigger, it was reasonable," said Deborah Barra, Chief Assistant State Attorney, Ninth Judicial Circuit Court.
Forty-nine people were killed in the June 2016 attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, with dozens more severely wounded.
The review examined all of the evidence, including 911 calls and some 300 witness statements, to determine if law enforcement officers were justified in their use of force and if any of the victims of the attack were accidentally shot by officers.
The review found over 400 rounds were fired by 15 people -- 14 law enforcement officers and the shooter -- during the five different engagements officers had with the shooter. Law enforcement fired over 180 rounds during those engagements.
Ayala says the report concluded the use of force by law enforcement was justified and all of the officers, which include 11 Orlando police officers and three Orange County Sheriff's deputies, have received clearance letters from the state attorney's office.
Closure for Families
Prior to sharing this to members of the media, Ayala shared the findings with survivors and the families of victims. She said she hoped the report brought some closure to families of the victims, who were told about the report's conclusions before the announcement.
"Even though the investigation took a long time, I was impressed by the detail," said Orange County Sheriff John Mina. Mina was the Chief of the Orlando Police Department when the Pulse massacre happened.
Since that tragic day, Mina and the officers involved have always maintained they were justified in each and every shot they took.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, who was sheriff at the time of the shooting, issued this statement:
“As Orange County Mayor and former Sheriff, I offer thanks to State Attorney Aramis Ayala and Chief Assistant State Attorney Deborah Barra for completing their review of law enforcement’s use of force on June 12, 2016 at the Pulse nightclub. Investigators reviewed hundreds of hours of surveillance footage and body-cam video, completed countless interviews and examined a vast collection of evidence to ensure a fair use of force conclusion in the incident. While I am pleased to know that law enforcement performed admirably when they responded, I am still saddened by the loss of the 49 innocent souls and the pain that their family, friends and our extended Pulse community will endure for the rest of their lives.”
onePULSE Foundation Executive Director Barbara Poma also released a statement:
“The findings of today’s State Attorney’s Offices report brings a close to law enforcements’ efforts to understand the events of June 12, 2016. We are thankful to the State Attorney’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the work that they have done. But as this chapter closes, we know that the families, survivors, first responders, the community of Orlando, and the LGBTQ community will never forget the 49 lives taken that night. As we continue through our journey of mourning and loss, we will also work to help people understand that hate and violence are never the answer. We will continue to honor the 49 Angels and tell their story. We will never let hate win.”