After a year-long investigation, the Orlando Police Department has cleared the former owners of the Pulse nightclub of involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the 2016 mass shooting that claimed 49 lives. The investigation found no evidence of reckless disregard for human life and concluded that the owners could not have anticipated the terrorist attack.
Orlando, Florida - The former owners of the Pulse nightclub have been cleared of involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the June 2016 mass shooting that killed 49 people and wounded 53 others. The Orlando Police Department announced the finding of the investigation Thursday, which included interviews with 23 people who had urged police to charge the Pomas with manslaughter.
Pulse Nightclub Owners Cleared of Manslaughter Charges
Allegations against the owners, Barbara and Rosario Poma, included code violations and unpermitted renovations that some claimed may have contributed to the high death toll. Specifically, it was alleged that police did not have access to building plans during the three-hour hostage situation, that unpermitted renovations were made to the nightclub, that Pulse had a history of occupancy violations, and that it operated with a permit designated for a restaurant and bar rather than a club.
According to the police investigation, however, it is not standard procedure for officers to have immediate access to floor plans for private businesses, bars, and clubs. Additionally, an officer who had worked off-duty at Pulse provided an accurate floor plan at the time of the shooting.
Pulse Nightclub Owners Cleared of Manslaughter Charges
The investigation confirmed that unpermitted renovations were made inside and outside the nightclub. However, the report noted that the nightclub complied with occupancy regulations in 82% of unannounced inspections conducted by the Orlando Fire Department between 2005 and 2016.
The FBI previously determined that the gunman, Omar Mateen, carried out the mass shooting in support of ISIS. Mateen was killed after a three-hour standoff with SWAT team members.
Pulse Nightclub Owners Cleared of Manslaughter Charges
Orlando Police found that none of the actions taken by the Pomas were done with reckless disregard for human life and that they could not have anticipated a terrorist attack at the nightclub. Police said that Mateen acted alone and that the Pulse owners have been cleared of any potential criminal liability.
Following the announcement, some survivors expressed disagreement with the investigation's conclusion. Orlando Torres, who survived the shooting by playing dead in a bathroom, told Fox 35 that he believes the owners should be held liable for any hindered escapes.
Pulse Nightclub Owners Cleared of Manslaughter Charges
"People trying to escape couldn't escape — not all, but many of those," Torres said. "Even if it was just one that was hindered, it's still murder by a human being, period. Somebody needs to be held liable! Everything needs to be up to code, so everybody can escape safely and properly. Simple as that."
The police report has closed the case against the Pomas, but the investigation's findings may have implications for future cases involving potential building code violations and active shooter situations.
