ORLANDO, Fla. — Survivors and the families of victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting that left 49 dead and dozens wounded, say they have concerns about a push by the city of Orlando to seek feedback for a permanent memorial.

Some survivors feel it’s a little too late. Others say they need “true trauma-informed professionals” leading this initiative.

What You Need To Know

  •  As the city of Orlando announces plans for a memorial, some are voicing concerns as the city seeks feedback

  • On Tuesday, Mayor Buddy Dyer announced a mediator will be compiling feedback from survivors to move toward a design of a memorial by the end of the year that can honor those affected by the Pulse tragedy

  • The city of Orlando on Wednesday said they’ve heard from some families who want this process to move quickly and the 10-week timeline for feedback will allow for a competition of the memorial by the end of 2027

Nearly eight years after the shooting, survivors say they are still dealing with the traumatic memories from that night in 2016.

“I definitely live with that, I can say every day as every single survivor that I know — I don’t think it gets easier unfortunately,” said Pulse survivor Darelis Torres. “Whether, it’s physical wounds or mental wounds, we all have a different battle.”

City officials agreed that trauma-informed professionals are “important and needed” as part of the process, which is why a mental health professional with 27 years of experience in Orange County has been hired on a part-time basis to support this initiative.

“We have hired Donna Wyche part-time to support the work the city and Dr. Schooler are doing with the outreach and engagement to victims’ families and survivors in the creation of the permanent Pulse memorial," Mayor Buddy Dyer's press secretary Cassandra Bell said. "Wyche most recently worked for 27 years in mental health and social services at Orange County. In that role, she was involved in our community’s response to Pulse from the very beginning, helping to coordinate behavioral health resources to support families and survivors at the city’s Family Assistance Center and was instrumental in helping to stand up the longer-term Orlando United Assistance Center.” 

Dyer announced that a mediator will be compiling feedback from survivors as the city moves toward designing a memorial that can honor those affected by the tragedy. He said the city is hoping to have the design completed by the end of the year 

The city is now leading this new initiative after buying the land from the former property owners.

In addition, the city is partnering with Dr. Larry Schooler to engage with survivors and families. 

Schooler was a lead facilitator for the Virginia beach 5-31 memorial committee following the 2019 shooting there.

“It will take some time, and I’m here for it,” he said. “I know how long you have been waiting and I intend to work efficiently and at the speed of trust.”

Torres, though, said trust has to be earned. Through the creation of this memorial, she said she wants to remember loved ones, but then move on and be in peace.

 “Any organization that they bring, any person that they bring, any third party that they bring, it’s also going to be under their watch,” said Torres.

City officials say surveys, in-person interviews and small focus group discussions over the phone and virtually will take place in the next few months to capture feedback related to the project.

Victims’ families and survivors can visit the city's Family and Survivor Engagement Interest Form website if they wish to participate.