City of Orlando buys Pulse nightclub site to build memorial to massacre victims
The city of Orlando is moving forward with plans to create a memorial on the site of the Pulse nightclub, where 49 people were massacred seven years ago.
City leaders agreed on Monday night to purchase the property for $2 million (€1.89 million).
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said they plan a collaborative approach, working with families of the victims to create the memorial.
On June 12 2016, Omar Mateen opened fire in a gay nightclub in the Florida city, killing 49 people and injuring another 53.
At the time, it was the worst mass shooting in modern US history. But that number was passed the following year when 58 people were killed and more than 850 others injured among a crowd of 22,000 at a country music festival in Las Vegas.
A Swat team killed Mateen, who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, following a stand-off.
Plans to build the memorial have been in the scaling back plans for a $100 million (94.5 million) memorial following fundraising challenges.
The building still stands, surrounded by a temporary display that honours the victims.
“We look forward to being a part of the discussion with the City of Orlando as this moves forward,” a statement from the onePulse Foundation said.
