Pulse Nightclub Founder 'Devastated and Heartbroken'

Baltimore, MD — The mass shootings at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando left Ron Legler—who cofounded the nightclub in 2004 and now lives in Baltimore—"devastated and heartbroken." He posted the message on Facebook Sunday.

At least 50 people were killed at Pulse Sunday and 53 more hospitalized after a gunman opened fire in an attack that law enforcement described as an "act of terror" carried out by an American citizen with Muslim roots.

Legler, the current president of the Hippodrome Theatre, opened Pulse in 2004 with a woman whose brother died from HIV. At the time, Legler was living in Florida, where he was the president of the Florida Theatrical Association. He moved to Baltimore in 2014 to head up the Hippodrome.

Elsewhere in Baltimore, the gay community is in mourning, and authorities say they are on alert.

The Baltimore Police Department reported Sunday afternoon that it was "currently reaching out to our LGBT community to discuss concerns and safety."

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB) will host a candlelight vigil to honor the victims of the Orlando shooting at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 13, at The Ynot Lot at North Avenue and Charles Street.

Photo Credit: Orlando Police.

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