Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News

3 minutes read. Updated 10:22PM GMT Wed, 28August, 2024

The Orlando Police Department has concluded its investigation into the former owners of the Pulse nightclub, Barbara and Rosario Poma, without filing any charges. The decision comes eight years after the tragic mass shooting at the LGBTQ-friendly club, which left 49 people dead and 53 others injured, marking one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. The families of victims and survivors had urged law enforcement to investigate the Pomas for possible criminal negligence, alleging that improper safety measures and unpermitted modifications to the building contributed to the chaos during the attack. However, the police found no probable cause for charges of involuntary manslaughter by culpable negligence.

Investigative Findings and Responses

The investigation included testimonies from about two dozen individuals, mainly survivors and family members of those who lost their lives in the horrific attack carried out by gunman Omar Mateen on June 12, 2016. These individuals pointed to multiple alleged failures by the Pulse nightclub owners. They highlighted that building plans were not available to first responders during the three-hour hostage situation, that unauthorized renovations had been carried out, and that the club possibly exceeded its legal capacity on the night of the shooting. Concerns were also raised about the club’s long-standing violations of its conditional use permit and deficiencies in security and risk management.

Despite these claims, investigators concluded that there was no clear evidence that the lack of building plans hampered rescue operations. They further noted that it was impossible to accurately determine the number of people inside the club at the time of the attack. Additionally, the City of Orlando had never taken any regulatory action against Pulse regarding changes to the nightclub’s interior. A key part of the conclusion also stated that none of the Pomas’ actions were taken with “reckless disregard for human life,” and they “could not have reasonably foreseen or anticipated a terrorist incident taking place at Pulse.”

The Pomas were not available for interviews during the investigation, and their spokesperson, Sara Brady, stated that they would not be issuing a statement at this time. On social media, the group “Pulse Families and Survivors for Justice” condemned the police investigation as a “sham,” expressing frustration over what they see as a lack of accountability. “It’s really very simple. There should be some accountability and a legitimate investigation. Not this joke report,” the group posted on its Facebook page, reflecting the continued dissatisfaction among some victims’ families and survivors.

Impact and Future of the Pulse Site

The impact of the Pulse nightclub shooting extends beyond the tragic loss of life. The incident also resulted in significant changes in the management of the nightclub’s site. In 2023, the City of Orlando purchased the Pulse property for $2 million. Before the sale, Barbara Poma, one of the original owners, served as the executive director of the onePulse Foundation, a nonprofit established to create a memorial and museum dedicated to the victims of the attack. The initial plan proposed by the foundation in 2019 estimated a cost of $45 million for the memorial and museum. However, this figure later ballooned to $100 million, sparking controversy and leading to Poma’s resignation in 2022 amid conflict-of-interest accusations over her intention to sell rather than donate the property.

Following Poma’s departure, the city of Orlando scrapped the museum plans and shifted to a more modest vision for the memorial. City leaders formed an advisory board to determine the future design and scope of the memorial site, ensuring that the memory of the victims is honored in a way that reflects the community’s desires and needs.

A Lingering Quest for Justice

As the legal chapter involving the Pomas comes to a close without any charges, the quest for justice and closure remains unresolved for many. The decision not to press charges leaves some families and survivors feeling that critical questions remain unanswered. Their calls for more thorough investigations and accountability continue to echo in a community still healing from the wounds inflicted on that tragic night in 2016.

Meanwhile, the site of the Pulse nightclub stands as a somber reminder of a devastating attack and a community’s resilience. As the city moves forward with plans for a memorial, the memories of those who lost their lives will be preserved, and the calls for a deeper understanding of what happened that night continue to reverberate.