THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) -- The picture Johanna Rodriguez’s niece, Lia Gomez, posted on social media last Monday before heading to the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, is a picture she can’t stop looking at.
“This is something we never imagined could have happened. I am still dreaming about this,” said Rodriguez.
The 20-year-old died following the roof collapse of the popular nightclub, during a performance by Merengue singer, Rubby Perez.
“She was a happy girl, smart girl,” added Rodriguez.
With prayers and tears, community members and elected officials honored those who perished. Some of them lived in the Bronx.
“Manny Diaz and NYPD retired detective from the 49th precinct, Emmanuel Gomez,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson as she read some of the names of the victims.
“For so many of our families, here and in the beautiful country of the Dominican Republic, that pain is so raw because grief is the price you pay for love,” added Gov. Kathy Hochul.
There are more than 1 million people of Dominican descent in New York.
“There is a connection, undoubtedly a connection, there is an umbilical cord that hasn’t been cut, between New York and the Dominican Republic,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat.
On Monday, the number of people who have died rose to 231.
“This was a catastrophic loss; whether we are Dominicans or not, we feel that pain,” said Martha Reyes.
Families of victims began to file lawsuits against the nightclub’s owner, Antoinio Espaillat, questioning the structural integrity of it. Espaillat had stated he has been cooperating with authorities and is “being fully transparent.”
“I hope he pays for it. Don’t let this guy go away because of his power," concluded Rodriguez.
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have begun investigating to determine what caused the roof to collapse. We have learned that forensic investigation could take up to three months to reach a final conclusion.
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