Forum held in Charlotte to discuss safety after Orlando shooting

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte couple said they planned to be inside Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, the night a gunman shot and killed 49 people and that a change in plans may have been what saved their lives.

Peter Carey and Joshua Anglero live and work in Charlotte and had plans to go to the nightclub to celebrate Anglero’s birthday.

"Just to think that we could have just been in that scenario is unreal. It's unreal," Carey said.

Their trip to Orlando changed at the last minute when a baby shower was rescheduled.

"I'm grateful that I'm here but my heart is still with everyone that was shot,” Anglero said. “It's scary. It's really scary."

They're raising two children from a previous relationship and said they have serious safety concerns for the LGBT community across the country right now.

"This happened in Orlando but it also happened in America,” Carey said. “Therefore, it happened here in Charlotte is kind of how I feel."

Carey spoke at an event at the N.C. Music Factory Wednesday night sponsored by the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists.

Part of the discussion focused on how citizens can protect themselves in public places but Carey believes education is the key to move forward.
 
"The ignorance has just got to stop because the ignorance breeds the hate and hate leads to this," Carey said.
 
Carey and Anglero are traveling to Orlando Thursday for that baby shower where they will spend time with family and friends impacted by the tragedy, as well as visit the memorial at Pulse.

Cox Media Group