ORLANDO, Fla. — Eight years ago, 49 people were killed in the Pulse nightclub mass shooting. Dozens more were injured, and the emotional scars have become countless.

What You Need To Know

  • The terror attack left many hurt, both physically and emotionally

  • Orlando is holding several tributes and ceremonies around the community to remember the 49 who died

  • One thing that has remained on the minds of many over the years, though, is the lack of a permanent memorial site

First responders and medical professionals jumped in to save lives that night, and the stories of the tragic shooting continue to be told. But even eight years later, survivors say it feels like it happened yesterday.

Each year, the city of Orlando holds several tributes and ceremonies around the community to remember the 49 killed. Those events also provide a place to reflect for victims’ loved ones and survivors.

One of the many tributes includes the prayer ribbons exhibit that is set up outside of Orlando’s City Hall. A cross display with all 49 victims’ names goes on exhibit. Another tribute is the Annual CommUNITY Rainbow Run.

One thing that has remained on the minds of many over the years, though, is the lack of a permanent memorial site. 

For the past eight years, people have visited Pulse, a gay nightclub, where a memorial went up following the shooting. However, it is only being used as an interim memorial at this time.

For a while, the onePulse Foundation was leading the charge when it came to creating a permanent memorial, and there were even talks of a potential museum. But after years of collecting donations and acquiring land, the foundation quietly dissolved last year.

“I feel sad because we don’t have nothing yet. And now it’s going to be eight years,” said Jorshua Hernandez, a survivor of the Pulse nightclub shooting.

After dissolving, Orlando purchased the site where Pulse nightclub is and has vowed to create a permanent memorial site. According to Mayor Buddy Dyer, the goal would be to have it completed by 2026, which would mark 10 years since the shooting.

Just last week, the city announced it is making a Pulse memorial advisory committee that will be comprised of 10 to 15 people. The group will help determine what the memorial would look like. Applications are now open at PulseOrlando.org.

The FBI labeled the shooting as a terror attack that was carried out by Omar Mateen.