Jacksonville man among 49 killed in Orlando

Second Jacksonville man recovering from gunshot wounds

A 29-year-old financial aid officer for Keiser University in Jacksonville was one of 49 people killed when a lone gunman with an assault-style rifle and a handgun opened fire in Orlando's Pulse nightclub early Sunday morning.

Darryl Roman Burt II lived in Jacksonville and had worked his way from being a McDonald's restaurant manager into working for Keiser University.

"He is vivacious. He is young. He was full of life. He had a lot of things going for him," said Lisamarie Winslow of Keiser University. "He was one of our financial aid officers and he worked with military and veteran students. He was a great contributor and very involved in the community. (He was a) respected individual and he is already very missed."

Others who knew him said they remember Burt as a caring person who gave back to the community. 

Group says Burt 'had a huge heart'

Burt was active with the Jacksonville Jaycees and the group remembered and honored him at its monthly meeting Monday night at BlackFinn at the St. Johns Town Center.

"We Stand with Orlando as we mourn the loss of our own Darryl Roman Burt II,"  the Jaycees posted on Facebook. "We are all deeply saddened by this tragic event and the loss of our Jaycee Brother. Please join us at our meeting tonight as we discuss the planning of a fundraiser to assist Darryl's family. All ideas are welcome."

At the meeting Monday night, Shawn Derives, president of Jacksonville Jaycees, described Burt as a rising star.

Burt joined the young professionals group late last year, but he had already co-chaired one of the organization's charity projects -- a clothing drive for the homeless. 

"It's been tough for all of us. And we're just trying to bring everyone together so that we can honor Darryl and honor his family in the right way," Derives said. 

Derives said the Jaycees will continue to honor his memory, the best way they can.

"Darryl was a hard worker, very passionate. And what we really want everybody to know about him is that he was really trying to give back to his community. And he had a huge heart and was really willing to help others," Derives said. 

The Jaycees have set up a GoFundMe account to help support Burt's family.

Orlando releases names of victims

Medical examiners worked through the night confirming identifies and city officials have released names of the 49 victims who have been identified and whose families have been notified:

Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34
Stanley Almodovar III, 23
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20
Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22
Luis S. Vielma, 22
Kimberly Morris, 37
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30
Darryl Roman Burt II, 29, of Jacksonville
Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21
Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25
Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35
Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50
Amanda Alvear, 25
Martin Benitez Torres, 33
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37
Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25
Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31
Oscar A Aracena-Montero, 26
Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25
Miguel Angel Honorato, 30
Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40
Luis Daniel Conde, 39
Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33
Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25
Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32
Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19
Cory James Connell, 21
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37
Jerald Arthur Wright, 31
Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25
Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25
Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24
Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33
Brenda Lee Marquez McColl, 49
Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24
Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32
Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28
Frank Hernandez, 27
Paul Terrell Henry, 41
Antonio Davon Brown, 29
Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24
Akyra Monet Murray, 18
Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25

The name of the shooter, Omar Mateen, who was killed in a gunfight with Orlando police, is not on the list as police do not consider him a victim.

Among the 53 people injured in the mass shooting another Jacksonville man, Rodney Sumter.  He was a bartender at Pulse, but went to school in Jacksonville and played football for Jacksonville University from 2008 to 2010.

Sumter's family has traveled to Orlando, where was recovering from gunshot wounds.


About the Authors:

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.