ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An event manager who used to work at the Pulse nightclub is speaking one-on-one with Channel 9's Nancy Alvarez.
Neema Bahrami was the event manager the night of the mass shooting. He’s speaking out about what he’s done since the night 49 people were killed and more than 53 others were injured.
"People were dancing and having a good time. And that's what we were about. You walked into Pulse, you felt loved," said Bahrami.
The nightclub was about to close June 12 when gunman Omar Mateen opened fire and shot anyone in his way.
Mateen would later have a standoff with Orlando police SWAT before he was shot and killed.
"I stayed until the end. I made sure whoever I could protect or keep safe, I did as much as I could," Bahrami said.
Bahrami hasn't stopped caring since. He said his mission now is to continue delivering what Pulse promised.
In the past 10 months, he's went to other venues like The Abbey, which hosted Latin Night and Southern Nights, which became home to College night. Each place opened its doors to Bahrami and his staff.
"(I'm) working to take their minds off things and those locations have given us that moment of peace," Bahrami said. "Every time we do these events, more survivors come out. More and more survivors that have been shot and were victims are dancing again. And that brings me to tears."
For years, Bahrami has thrown himself a birthday party at Pulse, where all the proceeds go to a charity of his choice. This Saturday, he's hosting another birthday party, this one at The Abbey, where the money will benefit the One Pulse Foundation. He said it will be another step on a long journey toward healing.
"It's not about my birthday. It's the joy of seeing people getting their lives back. It's how I get my happy back," Bahrami said. "That is the best gift anyone could give me, is to see them dance again."
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