A judge in Florida, US, has dismissed a federal lawsuit launched by some of the victims and family members of the Pulse nightclub massacre.

The lawsuit represented 59 plaintiffs. This included survivors of the attack and family members of some of those killed.

Gunman Omar Mateen attacked Pulse nightclub on 12 June 2016. The LGBTI club in Orlando was hosting one of its regular Latin nights. In total, 49 people lost their lives and 53 injured – predominantly LGBTI. At the time, it was the deadliest mass shooting by a sole gunman in US history.

Mateen was shot and killed in a stand-off with police.

The lawsuit accused the city of Orlando and police officers of not responding properly to the attack.

Pulse claim against Orlando and police not ‘plausible’

On Wednesday, US District Court Judge Paul Byron said the accusations against the city did not make a ‘plausible claim,’ and there were insufficient legal claims to move the case forward.

Solomon Radner, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, issued a statement vowing to fight on.

‘We respectfully disagree with Judge Byron’s decision to dismiss our clients’ case.

‘This case is about protecting the Constitutional rights of individuals who were the victims of one of the worst mass shootings in this country’s history. We are exploring all of our options for ensuring that those individuals get their day in court.’

Late last month, Commissioners in Orange County, Florida, have approved $10million (€8.8million) in funding towards a Pulse Museum and memorial. The proposed museum will replace the current temporary memorial, opened in May.

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