Anderson Cooper was visibly moved to tears while trying to read the names of those killed in the Orlando Massacre this past weekend.
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Cooper began the segment by sharing photos and telling stories of those identified as victims in the worst mass killing in United States history. From the beginning he was clearly uncomfortable – choking up several times during his speech.
One story he shared was that of 34-year-old Edward Sotomayor Jr.: “He worked in a travel agency that catered to the gay community,”; noted Cooper. “His family says that he was witty, charming and always left things better than he found them.”
Another was of a young woman who had only recently graduated from high school: “Akyra Monet Murray, she recently graduated from high school and was planning to go to Mercyhurst University and play basketball… She was just 18.”
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The focus of the segment was specifically those at the heart of the tragedy, and not the gunman. You can watch the heart-wrenching video below.
.@CNN“s @andersoncooper shares an emotional tribute to the #OrlandoShooting victims https://t.co/PlxpjLOMyghttps://t.co/DkxxPC1XtW
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) June 14, 2016
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