JACKSON, MISS– One month after the deadly terrorist attack on Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, the Gulfport native credited for saving a man’s life was reunited with the man he clung to during those horrific moments.
Joshua McGill, a Gulfport native now living in Orlando, met Rodney Sumter Jr. over the weekend, reported local media.
The meeting was arranged by MTV, according to the Instagram post by Sumter:
“It was really dope to finally meet @joshuamcgill1990…” posted Sumter. “It took almost a month but I’m grateful MTV put this together for us. He’s (McGill) an awesome dude and I thank God for putting him in a position to help me to safety that horrific night. Him and I have similar views and I’m ready to help through our journey as he has helped me. Much love and respect.”
One month ago, Omar Mateen called 911 to pledge allegiance to ISIS before shooting over 100 people at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando. McGill was at Pulse, an LGBTQ club, when Mateen opened fire and killed at least 50 people while injuring 50 more. McGill posted on Facebook his account of the gruesome events that took place inside that club, and recounted the experience of being by Sumter’s side–who at the time, was a total stranger:
“There was a very tragic thing that happened tonight. Thoughts and prayers for everyone at Pulse or that know anyone that was at pulse. It was very crazy and a traumatic experience,” posted McGill. “I’m very thankful I got away safe and a lot of other people I know and care about did as well. I hid under a car and found one of the victims that was shot. I tied my shirt and his shirt over his wounds to stop the bleeding and got him secretly to the nearest officer who then transported us to the ER. Words cannot and will not describe the feeling of that. Being covered in blood.. Trying to save a guys life that I don’t even know regardless that I’m fine..just traumatized. The things I had to say to the guy and make promises I didn’t know I would be able to keep or not to keep him conscious while holding him as tight as I could and blood everywhere on me. Saying a prayer for him and letting him know I will be here waiting for him. It sucks because all I got was his name and I can’t even see if he’s okay because I’m not related. If anyone knows of a guy named Rodney that was shot and injured tonight.. Please let me know he is okay. I felt God put me at the club and made me stay behind to help a complete stranger. For whatever reason that may be.. I don’t know, but I do know it was hopefully to save his life. Maybe God be with us all in this time of need.”
