ORLANDO, Fla. – The owners of Pulse nightclub will not face involuntary manslaughter charges related to the 2016 mass shooting that killed 49 people and wounded 53, according to Orlando police records.
No charges will be filed against former owners Barbara and Rosario Poma because probable cause didn’t exist for involuntary manslaughter by culpable negligence, the Orlando police said.
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Records show that at least 23 people met with Orlando police after the shooting who all allege criminal allegations against Barbara and Rosario Poma, which included:
- The unavailability of building plans to first responders during the three-hour long hostage situation
- Unpermitted renovations and building modifications to interior and exterior that were not regulated by the city of Orlando
- A history of occupancy violations that show public records and survivor records show the club was likely over capacity at the time of the shooting
- Years of Pulse operating in violation of their conditional use permit which allowed the business to operate as a restaurant and martini bar and not as a nightclub
- Other general failures in security and risk management
The investigation noted that while it is standard procedure to have “immediate access” to floor plans of schools, hospitals, some churches, malls and public venues, it does not have immediate availability of every barn, nightclub, restaurant or commercial business within the city.
It was also found that there were unpermitted renovations and modifications done to the interior and exterior of Pulse, according to the report.
It also found between 2015 and 2016, that Pulse was compliant on capacity numbers during 82% of Orlando Fire Department’s unannounced inspections.
The report concluded that none of the actions by the Pomas in regard to the unpermitted changes to their floor plans, or their alleged inattention towards their doors and exits were done with reckless disregard of human life or with an utter disregard for the safety of others.
“The Pomas could not have reasonably foreseen or anticipated a terrorist incident taking place at Pulse,” the report said in part.
To read the entire document from Orlando police, see below:
23-205852 Final Report by Jacob Langston on Scribd