It has been a week since the mass shooting inside Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. I woke up late that Sunday morning and spent an hour reading the news in disbelief. As the day continued, I was caught up like many of you, watching comments and eagerly awaiting details. Here we are a week later with more details about this unfortunate event yet I still find myself in the same state of total shock and disbelief.

“On June 12, 2016, a mass shooting terrorist attack and hate crime occurred inside Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, United States. It resulted in 53 wounded and 50 dead, including the gunman, who was killed by Orlando police after a three-hour standoff.”

Imran Yousuf was a security guard at the Orlando nightclub Pulse for less than a month when the attack took place. At the time, he thought the gunman walked in the front entrance as Yousuf walked to the back to a restricted staff-only area at the end of the evening. Because of his military background he knew it was a high powered assault riffle right away. People started pouring into the back staff hallway. He forced his way through the crowd of panicked people and made his way over to an exit. He unhooked the latch that kept the door locked and got at least 60 to 70 people out to safety. Once he was out of the club Imran proceeded to carry the wounded bar patrons to waiting ambulances. Imran Yousuf served six years in the marines and did a tour in Afghanistan.

Thank god for people like Imran Yousuf and all of the people who helped those in need. He is a true hero. In a statement he made to the press he said “I wish I could help more people!” That is the definition of a true hero.