The horrific shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida on Saturday night left 49 dead — including a Harry Potter fan who worked at Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World land.
Luis Velma worked on one of the rides at the Wizarding World, and was at the night club when a gunman attacked over the weekend. Author J.K. Rowling was notified about the tragic loss and took to Twitter on Monday morning to pay tribute to the fan:
Luis Vielma worked on the Harry Potter ride at Universal. He was 22 years old. I can't stop crying. #Orlando pic.twitter.com/Nz2ZCWxNsS
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 13, 2016
Rowling also retweeted several people who knew or encountered Luis at the theme park, and their thoughts on him are heartbreaking:
@jk_rowling Trust me, you would have loved him. He was the guy in the breakroom you liked four seconds after walking in.
— Melissa A. Gibbo (@melissagibbo) June 13, 2016
@jk_rowling @JMuniz822 had the pleasure of meeting him last week on my holidays, he was SO nice to my son, such a lovely guy ?
— Sarah Moore (@sarahBijouClub) June 13, 2016
@jk_rowling he complimented me on my @bendelacreme tshirt at universal. I can't believe such a kind soul is gone.
— Paul (@AWreckingPaul) June 13, 2016
@jk_rowling Thank you for your tweet about Luis. He was our friend and it is unbearable. Your Wizarding World was his world. #LoveWins
— John Connon (@JohnConnonActs) June 13, 2016
@megadis13 @jk_rowling I remember him from my last trip. So lovely.I bet there are many of us all over the world crying for him today.
— Kirsty (@KDoubleEwes) June 13, 2016
On Facebook, someone who knew Luis described him in greater detail. According to Dank Phoenix Marletto as well as reports on Twitter, the Forbidden Journey ride was closed on Sunday to pay tribute:
He worked at Forbidden Journey. He was a Gryffindor. He was a kid. He was a human being that died for just being him. Universal shut down the ride as a sign of mourning to those who worked with him. He will be missed by many and, along with everyone else, the HP fandom will mourn his passing. Rest In Love, sweet wizard.
Universal Orlando issued a statement of their own about Luis. “We are deeply saddened over the loss of our team member,” they said. “We are working to support his friends and colleagues here at Universal Orlando. Our thoughts and prayers are with Luis, his family, and all victims of this tragedy.”