J.K. Rowling mourns Orlando victim who worked on Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios

J.K. Rowling has taken to Twitter to mourn the loss of a Harry Potter fan who died in yesterday’s atrocity in Orlando, Florida.

Luis Vielma who worked at the Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios Orlando, died on Sunday (June 12) after the attack on Pulse club which left at least 50 dead and a further 53 injured.

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

Sharing a photo of Vielma, Rowling wrote: “Luis Vielma worked on the Harry Potter ride at Universal. He was 22 years old. I can’t stop crying.”

One of Vielma’s colleagues, Justin Muniz, replied to Rowling, saying the 22-year-old “loved every bit of working at the Harry Potter ride.”

“He brought smiles to every one he met,” he added.

@jk_rowling I worked with Luis he was a gryffindor who would make you proud. We have a slytherin who’s still in the icu. His name is Tony.

— Victoria Bidorini (@abnormalvb) June 13, 2016

Rowling sent a tweet back saying, “I’m so, so sorry. My heart goes out to you, all his friends and his poor family.”

Another friend of Luis, Victoria Bidorini, replied to Rowling and said, “I worked with Luis he was a gryffindor who would make you proud. We have a slytherin who’s still in the icu. His name is Tony.”

I’m praying Tony pulls through. My thoughts are with all of you #LoveIsLove #Orlando https://t.co/JLSBMWRrfJ

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 13, 2016

Rowling retweeted Bidorini’s post and said she was praying for Tony to survive.

Universal Orlando released a statement by President and COO of the resort saying: “We are deeply saddened over the loss of our team member. We are working to support his friends and colleagues here at Universal Orlando.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Luis, his family, and all the victims of this tragedy.”

From the President and COO of Universal Orlando Resort pic.twitter.com/OmuNmUORpQ

— Universal Orlando (@UniversalORL) June 13, 2016

A vigil will be held in London’s Soho at 7pm

to pay tribute to the victims of the LGBT shooting, with others planned right across the country.

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