Orlando trainer with NC roots: 'Lift each other up'

ORLANDO, Fla. (WTVD) -- On Orlando's Orange Avenue, five miles away from Pulse nightclub, we found Thomas Sapp, a personal trainer. He was raised in Fayetteville, his dad based at Pope Army Airfield.

"(I) went to Fayetteville State," Sapp said. "Played basketball for Fayetteville State University."

READ MORE: COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE ORLANDO SHOOTINGS

And as news spread of the terror at Pulse, Sapp's cell phone lit up.

WATCH: ABC11's Joel Brown reports from Orlando on Tuesday night

Joel Brown reports live from Orlando on Tuesday evening.

"I looked at my phone, I had about 50 messages," Sapp said. "Mom, Dad in Fayetteville, uncle in Chicago, friends overseas."

READ MORE: TWO FROM NC, INCLUDING ECU GRAD, AMONG ORLANDO DEAD

Sapp was fine and his family was relieved.

But like many Orlandians, he rushed to donate blood for the victims.

It's one small way Sapp is helping his adopted hometown recover.

"I feel like the fact that we've figured out that we have to lift each other up and we can't just make it a jingle," Sapp said, "we've really taken it to heart."

WATCH: Jason Gonzalez describes the chaos at the club to ABC11's Joel Brown.

Jason Gonzalez talks to ABC11. He made it out unscathed but his friend was shot five times.

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