Wisconsin native now living in Orlando, paying tribute to friends killed in mass shooting

ORLANDO -- One Delavan man says once he interned in Orlando in college, he knew he wanted to make it his home, and he has. Two of his friends were killed in the Pulse nightclub mass shooting, but he tells FOX6, he will not let the tragedy stop him from loving the city.

The scene in Orlando, Florida after a shooting at Pulse Nightclub on June 12, 2016.

"Went down on an internship, fell in love with the city. Everything about the atmosphere here, the people here," said Sewell.

Garrett Sewell, the Delavan native, now calls Orlando home. Escaping what has happened over the past weekend, is impossible.

"My eyes still hurt from the past few days, it's hard to hold yourself together," said Sewell.

Hamburger Mary's

Sewell says, some of his closest friends are in the LGBTQ community.

"It's incredibly emotional," said Sewell.

Garrett Sewell

Some he will never see again.

"I had several friends in that club. Two of which are confirmed to not come back. But that's life and we move on," said Sewell.

"Initially we thought about cancelling all of the events," said Hamburger Mary's Owner, John Paonesso.

John Paonesso owns Hamburger Mary's. He's decided the community needs some sense of normalcy -- so the shows have gone on.

Hamburger Mary's

"You need to remind yourself all of your friends back you in this," said Paonesso.

Sewell knows that laughs don't make the pain go away, but it helps.

He may have been born in Wisconsin, but he could not be producer of his new home.

"We're just going to come back stronger, and happier, and just who we were before," said Sewell.

Sewell is passionate about the Orlando City MLS soccer team. He is helping organize a tribute to the victims on Saturday for their home game.