Orlando Survivor Explains How Guilt of Being Alive is Heavy

Orlando shooting survivor Patience Carter shared her horrifying experience at Pulse nightclub.

Philadelphia natives Carter, 20, Tiara Parker, 20, and Akyra Murray, 18, were on vacation in Orlando and decided to visit Pulse on Saturday night. "We went from having the time of our lives to the worst night of our lives in a matter of minutes," Carter said.

During a press conference held at Florida Hospital Orlando, Carter recalls how she and Murray heard gunshots and were able to escape the nightclub, but reentered the building when they could not find Parker. They took shelter in a bathroom stall with other clubgoers, which the shooter later entered. Carter was shot in both of her legs, while Murray was shot in the arm and Parker was shot in her side.

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Parker and Carter were later rescued and transported to the hospital. Murray, who had graduated from high school a week earlier, was the youngest of the 49 people who were killed by the shooter. Murray was set to play basketball at Mercyhurst University this fall.

Carter, a New York University student, shared a poem she wrote in the hospital, saying, "The guilt of feeling grateful to be alive is heavy."

Hear Carter's moving poem and account of the events below:

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