At least 50 people were killed and dozens wounded after 29-year-old Omar Mateen opened fire in Orlando LGBT nightclub Pulse on Sunday. The lone gunman's attack is the deadliest shooting in US history.
Survivors told how revellers had crawled through the club's air conditioning vent to escape, while details have been emerging about those who didn't manage to flee.
One man who died has been named as Stanley Almodovar III. The 23-year-old pharmacy technician was "an amazing person with a good soul", his aunt told the Orlando Sentinel.
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His mother, Rosalie Ramos, revealed she had prepared a snack for her son to eat when he came home and had gone to bed, only to be awakened at 2am by a frantic phone call about the massacre.
Also among the dead is Kimberley "KJ" Morris, the club's bouncer who is said to have loved her job. The 37-year-old moved from Hawaii to Orlando to be closer to her family.
A friend said that Morris was "the sweetest person", adding: "I can't think of a time when I did not see a smile on her face."
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20, the youngest victim to be named so far, worked as a cashier and barista at a superstore 20 miles outside of Orlando. Colleague Claudia Mason paid tribute to him on Facebook, saying he "lit up any area he worked in".
Another victim, Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, sent chilling texts to his terrified mother from the bathroom of Pulse, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Just after 2am, Mina Justice awoke to a message from her 30-year-old son which read: "Mommy I love you", followed by: "In club they shooting".
He then begged her to call the police, before sending a final text: "I'm gonna die."
