athered across Central Florida for vigils, prayer services and memorial events. Makeshift memorials filled the area outside Pulse with flowers, candles, photographs, rainbow flags and handwritten messages. Churches, businesses and local organizations opened their doors to survivors and victims' families, while blood donation centers saw an overwhelming turnout from residents wanting to help. The tragedy deeply impacted Orlando's LGBTQ community, but support extended far beyond Central Florida. Landmarks across the world were lit in rainbow colors in honor of the victims. Remembering the 49 Angels killed in Pulse shooting Dig deeper: The 49 people killed in the Pulse shooting are known in Orlando as the 49 Angels. The victims ranged in age from 18 to 50 years old. Many of them were young men and women celebrating a night out together. Here are the names of those lost: Akyra Monet Murray Alejandro Barrios Martinez Amanda Lizette Alvear Benabe Angel Luis Candelario Padró Anthony Luis Laureano Disla Antonio Davon Brown Brenda Marquez McCool Christopher Andrew Leinonen Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz Cory James Connell Darryl DJ Burt, II Deonka Deidra Drayton (Dee Dee) Eddie Jamol-Droy Justice (Brycen Banks) Edward Eddie Manuel Sotomayor Jr. Enrique L. Rios Jr. Eric Ivan Ortiz Rivera (Shaky) Frank Hernandez Escalante (Frankie) Franky Jimmy De Jesus Velázquez Gerardo A. Ortiz Jimenez Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez Jason Benjamin Josaphat Javier Jorge Reyes Jean Carlo Mendez Perez Jean Carlos Nieves Rodriguez (Moñoño) Jerry Wright Joel Rayón Paniagua Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega (John) Juan Chavez Martinez Juan Pablo Rivera Velázquez Juan Ramón Guerrero Kimberly Jean Morris Leroy Valentin Fernández Luis D. Conde Luis Daniel Dani Wilson Leon Luis Omar Ocasio Capo Luis Sergio Vielma Martin Benitez Torres (Papa) Mercedez Marisol Flores (Mari) Miguel Angel Honorato Oscar Aracena Paul Terrell Henry Daddy Peter Ommy Gonzalez Cruz (Ommy) Rodolfo Ayala Ayala Shane Evan Tomlinson Simón Adrián Carrillo Fernández Stanley Almodovar III Tevin Eugene Crosby Xavier Emmanuel Serrano-Rosado Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan (Mary) The Survivors Over the years, several survivors of the Pulse shooting have shared their stories. Survivors and families were given the option to tour the Pulse Nightclub venue in 2025, nine years after the shooting. Officials said 23 of the 49 victims' families toured the site. Others declined. Around 250 people had signed up to visit the site. In 2026, the site was demolished to make way for construction of a permanent memorial. Pulse Memorial: Timeline, design, construction, what's next Until 2026, the Pulse sign and Pulse nightclub building largely stood as it did on June 12, 2016, on S. Orange Avenue Road, not far from downtown Orlando. Efforts to build a memorial have been in the works over the years, but were marred by increasing costs, the COVID-19 pandemic, disorganization and trust with the now-defunct onePulse Foundation. Earlier this year, the Pulse sign was removed and preserved and various items and artifacts from inside the building were removed - some intended to be part of a permanent memorial, including part of the club's dance floor. The building and site were then demolished. The City of Orlando purchased the property and building for several million dollars and took over efforts to build a permanent memorial. The memorial has been designed and approved. Construction is set to begin as early as Septembet 2026 with an opening expected sometime in 2027. Renderings: Orlando Pulse Memorial Image 1 of 6 Pulse Memorial rendering What do we know about the gunman Police and the FBI identified the Pulse nightclub shooter as 29-year-old Omar Mateen, a security guard from Fort Pierce, Florida. The FBI said during the shooting, Mateen made three 911 calls, pledging allegiance to the Islamic State. He was shot and killed by law enforcement inside Pulse, hours after the shooting started. In 2017, Mateen's wife was accused of lying to the FBI and helping to plan the Orlando attack. She was acquitted of all charges in 2018. Her defense said she had no knowledge of the attack and that she was emotionally abused by her husband.