Akyra Murray was gunned down at an Orlando gay bar where she went to celebrate her graduation from high school. She was only 18 years old.
Some north Florida counties ban minors from bars and nightclubs where alcohol is served. But Orlando allows minors (under 21) to patronize bars such as Pulse Nightclub, where Omar Mateen killed 50 people and wounded 53 on Sunday.
A bright student, Akyra graduated third in her class at West Catholic Preparatory High School in Philadelphia. She had plans to attend Mercyhurst University before her life was cut short.
Suffering from a gunshot wound to her arm, Akyra hid from the gunman as he stalked his victims in the dimly lit club.
Frantic, she sent a text to her mother, Natalie Murray, who had just dropped her and a girlfriend off at the club at 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
“She doesn’t drink, she just wanted to have a good time,” Natalie told the NY Daily News.
She recalled the chilling text message from her daughter, saying there was a shooting at Pulse.
Natalie called her daughter as she raced back to the club. She told Akyra to apply pressure to the wound and stay calm. Akyra cried for her mother as she hid in a bathroom stall.
Natalie hung up the phone to call 911. She never spoke to her daughter again.
Akyra’s girlfriend, Patience Carter, 20, was also wounded in the attack. The New York University student and musician is expected to recover.
Akyra is the youngest victim of the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
A Gofundme account to support the victims has raised $3 million so far.
