Four Mexican citizens were among those killed last Sunday when a gunman opened fire on revelers at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, this country’s foreign ministry has confirmed.
One was identified as Joel Rayón Paniagua, a 32-year-old construction worker who moved to the United States from Córdoba, Veracruz six years ago.
Two others who died in the massacre are Juan Chavez Martinez from Huichapan, Hidalgo and Miguel Angel Honorato from the Tenanguillo de las Cañas, Guerrero. The fourth victim had not been named at press time.
Mexican officials on both sides of the border say they are providing families of the deceased with support and assistance.
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto expressed his “strong solidarity” with the families of the victims, calling the attack ”an act truly filled with horror, terror and hatred.”
The majority of the 49 victims were of Latin American descent – more than half Puerto Rican.
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden traveled to Orlando Thursday to pay their respects to the victims of the shootings.