Pulse Nightclub owners cleared of involuntary manslaughter charges, OPD report concludes

ORLANDO, Fla. - The owners of the Pulse nightclub will not face involuntary manslaughter charges following an investigation by the Orlando Police Department, according to a new report released eight years after the tragic mass shooting in June 2016.

The investigation, which began over a year ago, involved interviews with 23 individuals who believed that Barbara and Rosario Poma, the previous owners of Pulse, should be charged with manslaughter. The allegations centered on supposed code violations and unpermitted renovations, which some claimed might have contributed to the high death toll.

Among the five main allegations were:

• Orlando Police did not have access to the building plans during the three-hour hostage situation.
• Unpermitted renovations had been made to the nightclub.
• Pulse had a history of occupancy violations.
• The nightclub operated with a permit designated for a restaurant and bar, not a club.
• There were alleged security failures.

After a thorough investigation, Orlando Police found that it is not standard procedure for the department to have immediate access to floor plans for private businesses, bars, and clubs within the city. They also concluded that this did not hinder the law enforcement response to the terrorist attack. Additionally, an officer who had worked off-duty at Pulse was able to provide an accurate floor plan during the incident.

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The investigation confirmed that unpermitted renovations were made inside and outside Pulse. However, the nightclub complied with occupancy regulations in 82% of unannounced inspections conducted by the Orlando Fire Department between 2005 and 2016.

In the Pulse nightclub tragedy, 49 people were killed, and 53 others were injured. The FBI previously determined that the gunman responsible for the massacre carried out the attack in support of ISIS.

The Orlando Police Department concluded that none of the actions taken by the Pulse owners were done with reckless disregard for human life, and they could not have anticipated a terrorist attack at their club. OPD emphasized that Omar Mateen, who fired 267 rounds that night, acted independently, which supersedes any potential criminal liability for the Pomas. As a result, the case has been closed.

However, not all survivors agree with the outcome.

Orlando Torres, a Pulse survivor who played dead in the bathroom until first responders arrived, expressed his disagreement with the decision. 

"People trying to escape couldn't escape — not all, but many of those. Even if it was just one that was hindered, it's still murder by a human being, period. Somebody needs to be held liable!" Torres said. "Everything needs to be up to code, so everybody can escape safely and properly. Simple as that."

A representative for the Pomas stated that they would not be releasing a statement.