Long Island Man in Orlando Donates Blood, Describes 'Sad Situation' After Deadly Massacre

Sunday's horrific massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando — the deadliest mass shooting in United States history by a gunman who said he had ties to ISIS — had a very personal impact on one Long Island man.

The killer shot at least 50 dead and left 53 injured, reports say.

Denis Yuen, of Hampton Bays, was in Orlando Sunday, on a layover to Atlanta.

"While here, I am visiting my parents and brothers," Yuen told Patch. "Coincidentally, I drove by that club twice last night around 8:30 p.m. because I was looking for a restaurant and had to turn around. When I heard the news this morning, the news coverage was on every station. As I saw more of the aerial coverage, I then realized it was the same business district that I had been through the night before."

• Follow Patch's live updates on the shooting here

Yuen said when he heard the call for blood donations, he went online to find donation sites.

"As I arrived at one of the sites — it was also around the corner from the tragedy — I saw that the line of donors was already into the hundreds. All of them patiently standing in the full sun. Only a few came prepared with umbrellas for shade. Everyone's demeanor was calm, even those driving — traffic was backed up and diverted, plus there was no more parking in sight. As in most cases, this community pulled together to lessen the blow of this tragedy upon their citizens."

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Of the sea of donors at the OneBlood donation center in downtown Orlando, Yuen said it was a "super turnout from the Orlando community."

So much so, the OneBlood center is now at capacity, the organization's website says.

Of the tragedy, Yuen reflected, "It's just a sad situation."

Patch photo courtesy of Denis Yuen.