Pulse massacre survivors revisit Orlando nightclub before demolition

Survivors and families of the Pulse nightclub shooting victims are visiting the site this week before its demolition and replacement with a permanent memorial. This marks the first time they can enter the venue since the 2016 massacre. The visits, occurring on the ninth anniversary of the shooting, allow small groups to spend a half-hour inside the shuttered club. The city of Orlando purchased the property in 2023 and plans a $12 million memorial, opening in 2027, after a previous foundation's efforts failed. The Pulse nightclub was the site of a mass shooting in 2016, where 49 people were killed. Mental health counselors will be available during the visits. The existing structure will be razed later this year.