San Diegans React to Orlando Shooting

People expressed their heartache and sorrow for the victims and their families

Flags were at half-staff around San Diego County Monday after the mass shooting in a nightclub in Orlando, Florida that claimed the lives of 49 people.

NBC 7 spoke with some San Diegans who expressed mixed emotions over the tragedy.

Some said they were heartbroken while others shared their frustration and hoped to see greater change in gun laws.

Omar Mateen, a 29-year old American-born Muslim opened fire inside Pulse, a gay club that was hosting Latin night early Sunday morning. He shot and killed 49 people and injured more than 50 others.

He was shot and killed by police.

One woman told NBC 7 it makes her think about the possibility of something similar happening in her neighborhood.

Some people said that law enforcement did not do enough to prevent the shooter from buying guns legally since he had been investigated by the FBI for possible links to terrorism.

β€œIf it's a terrorist attack, if it is gun control, we should be really focusing on that. Families have lost many loved ones and that’s where our focus should be,” Jessica Gonzalez, a South Bay resident said.

But others said they don't see how a change in laws could make much of a difference.

β€œPeople are going to make their own decisions and their own mind and do what they want to do, regardless of the consequences and how it affects othersm,” Tabitha Bump said.

But regardless of their views, everyone shared their heartache and prayer for the victims and their families.

Contact Us