Orlando Shooting Survivor and ‘Wizarding World’ Employee Shares His Story on ‘Ellen’

Almost three months ago, 49 people – including Wizarding World of Harry Potter employee Luis Vielma – were killed in a brutal mass-shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Tony Marrero joined Luis Vielma at the club that night, was a fellow Wizarding World employee and was one of the 53 injured as a result of the attack.

He was shot in the back four times, and with all four shots missing his vital organs, it’s a miracle he is alive and well.  Marrero shared his story on Ellen last night:

“We were just about to leave and as soon as we started heading to the door, that’s when we heard the gunshots,” Tony said to Ellen on her talk show.

“Me and Luis, we looked at each other and we just hit the ground. That’s the last time I saw him.”

Tony and Luis both worked on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Islands of Adventure, Orlando. Tony shared a moment with his teammates on the show to remember Luis, and stressed the importance the closeness of his team had on his recovery:

“This is always going to be my home” he says of The Wizarding World, as he returns to cheers from his work mates.

“This is my family from Forbidden Journey, and I know that we lost one, but he’s here with us, and he’s always gonna be here with us” Tony tells them, “We lost a brother, but we gotta live for him”

“I’m here, and I’m gonna come back to you guys real soon”

The story is heartbreaking, but Tony stresses that it’s one of unity and coming together and loving one another in spite of such awful circumstances.

Watch his inspiring story on Ellen below:

Luis has not been forgotten, nor have the other victims. Harry Potter fans have shown their support in so many ways over the past few months, so join us in raising our wands once more to remember those we have lost, and in support of those who survived.