Man shot 4 times in Orlando nightclub massacre crawled over bodies to escape

Norman Casiano hid inside bathroom stall while gunman opened fire

ORLANDO, Fla. – A man who was shot four times in the Orlando nightclub massacre told Local 10 News that he was crawling over bodies to get away from the gunman.

Norman Casiano, 26, was discharged from an Orlando hospital Monday, one day after a mass shooting that killed 49 people and injured at least 53 others.

Casiano said he was getting ready to leave Pulse Orlando early Sunday morning when the shooter, identified as Omar Mateen, 29, opened fire. He heard several shots and started crawling military-style into a crowded bathroom stall.

"You hear the gunshots getting closer and closer," Casiano said.

Casiano said one man collapsed in front of the stall door, bleeding and begging to come inside.

"The door wouldn't open because there's bodies piled up," Casiano said.

Casiano said he was trying to comfort the man, but it was too late. Seconds later, Casiano said, the gunman entered the bathroom and shot him one last time.

The scariest part, Casiano recalled, was that the shooter didn't say anything.

"He laughed, and as he's laughing, that's when he fires through the whole front of the stall," Casiano said.

To hear more of Casiano's story of survival, click on the video above to watch Local 10 News reporter Michael Seiden's complete interview.


About the Author:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.