ORLANDO, Fla. – In the first 24 hours after the Pulse nightclub shooting News 6 told the stories of the 49 people who were killed and the heroic acts that saved many others.
On the 6-month anniversary, News 6 will reflect on the tragedy that reshaped the greater Orlando community in a special report airing Monday, Dec. 12 at 10 p.m.
The prime-time documentary was filmed in the days and months after the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history at the gay nightclub, in the homes of survivors and families, at the LGBT Center and at the Orlando Police Department.
[RE-WATCH: News 6 Pulse 6 month special report]
“6.12.16 A News 6 Special Report” was written and produced by News 6 executive producer Angel Blazquez and filmed and edited by News 6 investigative videographer Paul Giorgio.
Since the shooting, News 6 has kept the public informed on developments in the investigation, listened to and reported on more than 200 hours of audio during and after the attack and followed the distribution of the $27 million generated by the OneOrlando Fund.
It’s rare that a mass shooting has been so well documented as the June 12 massacre.
“Collecting the stories documented by police body cameras, text messages, photos and cellphone videos, we were able to weave them together to tell an incredible story - the whole story,” Blazquez said. “[It's] the story in its entirety told from the view point of a community.”
Blazquez said the story of Pulse is best told from the point of view of the Central Florida community that banded together after the shooting.
“As investigations come to a close, it is only now that we can tell these stories that demonstrate the incredible character of our community,” he said.
Blazquez described the documentary as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“It is something you don’t expect, and you walk away feeling hopeful,” he said.
News 6 anchor Matt Austin hosts the special report and will answer questions at ClickOrlando.com on Monday night while viewers watch the commercial-free documentary.
WKMG general manager Jeff Hoffman said the online forum is an opportunity for News 6 viewers to share their feelings and thoughts about what they saw in the special report.
[Community forum: Matt Austin answers your questions about News 6 Pulse special]
The special report will tell the stories of people inside Pulse talking to 911 dispatchers and of policy changes that law enforcement agencies are making after the shooting to keep the community safe, as well as their officers.
Orlando police Chief John Mina sat down with Austin for the special to discuss where the investigation is six months later and changes at the police department. Mina told Austin that counseling for OPD officers is still in high demand after their response on the morning of the attack.
Interviews with Pulse survivors, first responders and local officials by News 6 reporters who have been covering the tragedy since the early hours of June 12, including Erik Sandoval, will be featured in the documentary.
[Photos: Remembering the victims killed in Orlando massacre]
Angel Colon was shot six times during the more than three-hour attack. Colon will tell his story of recovery and how he has found a new purpose and mission in life.
Jeff Rodriquez was one of the last shooting victims to leave the hospital. In the special, Rodriguez will recount some of the moments leading to his release and how the support and love he’s received has helped him move forward.
In the first 24 hours and the months since, the LGBT Center became a refuge for people needing support. The Center executive director Terry DeCarlo told News 6 that the relationship between the LGBT community and Orlando have changed dramatically since the shooting.
DeCarlo addresses the change in Orlando during “6.12.16: A News 6 Special Report.”
Pulse shooting victim, Drew Leinonen, will never be forgotten. His mother, Christine Leinonen has become a voice for her son in the past six months, advocating for changes in gun control laws and funding the Dru Project, an organization to establish gay-straight alliances in U.S. schools.
Christine Leinonon spoke to News 6 about how she is moving forward after the loss of her son and partnering with Drew’s friends, including Brandon Wolf, to push for greater acceptance of LGBT students in schools.
While the six-month anniversary is a reminder of a national tragedy, News 6 news director Allison McGinley said she hopes the community can begin to heal through stories of strength.
“Our mission was to share the hope and healing we have found that overwhelmingly has replaced every aspect of this moment in our history,” McGinley said.
For complete coverage of the Pulse shooting, visit ClickOrlando.com/pulse.