Mina Justice was proud of her son, Eddie. The 30-year-old, she told The Associated Press, “lives in a sky house, like the Jeffersons … He lives rich.”
He was an accountant and homebody who liked to work out and make people laugh, the AP reported. After his death during the Orlando nightclub shooting that killed 49 and wounded 53 in the early hours of Sunday morning, Mina shared the final texts she exchanged with her son as he sought shelter in a women’s bathroom in the Pulse nightclub.
Here are the texts.
2:06 a.m.
Eddie: “Mommy I love you. … In club they shooting.”
Mina Justice had been fast asleep. She tried calling and her son didn’t answer.
Mina: “U ok”
2:07 a.m.
Eddie: “Trapp in bathroom.”
She asked him what club.
Eddie: “Pulse. Downtown. Call police.”
2:08 a.m.
Eddie: “I’m gonna die.”
Mina Justice dialed 911, then sent several texts over the next few minutes.
Mina: “I’m calling them now.”
Mina: “U still in there.”
Mina: “Answer our damn phone.”
Mina: “Call them.”
Mina: “Call me.”
She stayed on with 911. Her son did not respond for half an hour. Then:
2:39 a.m.
Eddie: “Call them mommy.”
Eddie: “Now.”
He explained he was in the bathroom.
Eddie: “He’s coming.”
Eddie: “I’m gonna die.”
2:42 a.m.
She asked if anyone was hurt and which bathroom he was in.
Eddie: “Lots. Yes”
She sent several more texts, and asked if he was with police.
Mina: “Text me please”
2:46 a.m.
Eddie: “No. … Still here in bathroom. He has us. They need to come get us.”
2:49 a.m.
She told him police had arrived and to tell her when he saw them.
Eddie: “Hurry. … He’s in the bathroom with us.”
Mina: “Is the man in the bathroom wit u?”
2:50 a.m.:
Eddie: “He’s a terror.”
2:51 a.m.
Eddie: “Yes.”
That was his final text.