Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesDave Morales (L) and Leigh Fannin hold hands as they attend the one-year anniversary memorial service for victims of the mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 before being killed himself by police in a shootout at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Joe Burbank-Pool, Getty ImagesPulse nightclub owner Barbara Poma (L) comforts Orlando City commissioner Patty Sheehan attend the one-year anniversary memorial service for victims of the mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 before being killed himself by police in a shootout at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Loren Elliott, Tampa Bay Times via The Associated PressStephen Holbrook wears a sign on his back during a community gathering at the Pulse nightclub memorial site in Orlando, Fla., Monday, June 12, 2017. A gunman opened fire at the nightclub one year ago in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, killing 49 people.
Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesJohn Hough visits the memorial setup outside the Pulse gay nightclub as he remembers the victims of a mass shooting at the club one year ago on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel via The Associated PressPulse nightclub owner Barbara Poma gets a hug from one of her employees, Neema Bahrami , Monday, June 12, 2017, during a ceremony at the club in Orlando, Fla., that commemorated the one-year anniversary of the June 12, 2016, massacre that killed 49.
Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel via The Associated PressA wall of flowered-hearts, representing each of the victims of the Pulse nightclub massacre, on the side of the club, Monday, June 12, 2017, commemorating the one-year anniversary of the June 12, 2016, massacre that killed 49.
Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesSarah Kennedy (L) and Hailey Smiley stand together as they mourn the loss of friends in the mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub as people gather together outside the club during a one-year anniversary memorial service on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 before being killed himself by police in a shootout at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Loren Elliott, Tampa Bay Times via The Associated PressPulse survivor Angel Santiago pushes his nephew's stroller during a community gathering at the Pulse nightclub memorial site in Orlando, Fla., Monday, June 12, 2017. A gunman opened fire at the nightclub one year ago in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, killing 49 people. (Loren Elliott/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel via The Associated PressPulse nightclub owner Barbara Poma, Orlando City commissioners Patty Sheehan & Regina Hill sing, Monday, June 12, 2017, during a ceremony at the club in Orlando, Fla., that commemorated the one-year anniversary of the June 12, 2016, massacre that killed 49.
Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel via The Associated PressPeople gather during a community gathering at the Pulse nightclub memorial site in Orlando, Fla., Monday, June 12, 2017. A gunman opened fire at the nightclub one year ago in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, killing 49 people.
Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel via The Associated PressArtist Yuriy Karabash, right, helps Saúl Barrios place a hand print on a mural at the Pulse nightclub, Monday, June 12, 2017, that commemorates the one-year anniversary of the June 12, 2016, massacre that killed 49 at Pulse. Saúl Barrios son, Alejandro Barrios Martínez, was killed in the mass shooting. (Joe Burbank /Orlando Sentinel via AP)
Loren Elliott, Tampa Bay Times via The Associated PressEstella Peterkin, right, hugs Chris Callen during a community gathering at the Pulse nightclub memorial site in Orlando, Fla., Monday, June 12, 2017. A gunman opened fire at the nightclub one year ago in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, killing 49 people.
Loren Elliott, Tampa Bay Times via The Associated PressNoah Faudree, left, and Tommie Martin hold hands during a community gathering at the Pulse nightclub memorial site in Orlando, Fla., Monday, June 12, 2017. A gunman opened fire at the nightclub one year ago in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, killing 49 people.
Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesLeann Ferguson and Liz Lockwood (L-R) hug outside the Pulse gay nightclub as they remember those lost one year ago during a mass shooting on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesMourners circle around a man protesting against homosexuality with some chanting "Love overcomes Hate" outside the Pulse gay nightclub as a memorial service was being held for the one-year anniversary of a mass shooting at the club on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 before being killed himself by police in a shootout at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesYolanda Cimmino (L) and Nikita Legon mourn the loss of friends in the mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub as people gather together outside the club during a one-year anniversary memorial service on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 before being killed himself by police in a shootout at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesUniversity Of Central Florida Police officer Pablo Vargas receives a hug from Christine Gigicos as they attend the one-year anniversary memorial service for victims of the mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 before being killed himself by police in a shootout at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesA tattoo notes the loss of family, friends and loved ones in the mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub during the one-year anniversary memorial service at the club on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 before being killed himself by police in a shootout at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesMourners dressed as "guardian angels" attend the one-year anniversary memorial service for victims of the mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 before being killed himself by police in a shootout at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesPeople mourning the loss of family, friends and loved ones in the mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub gather together outside the club during a one-year anniversary memorial service on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 before being killed himself by police in a shootout at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesPolice take an individual into custody who was protesting against homosexuality outside the Pulse gay nightclub as a memorial service was being held for the one-year anniversary of a mass shooting at the club on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. It was unclear why the individual was taken into custody by police. Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 before being killed himself by police in a shootout at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Joe Burbank-Pool, Getty ImagesVal Demings, congressional representative, listens to the Orlando Gay Chorus perform at the one-year anniversary memorial service for victims of the mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 before being killed himself by police in a shootout at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Joe Burbank-Pool, Getty ImagesArtist Yuriy Karabash hugs a family member of a victim at the Pulse nightclub in front of his mural that commemorates the one-year anniversary at the one-year anniversary memorial service for victims of the mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 before being killed himself by police in a shootout at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Joe Burbank-Pool, Getty ImagesBarbara Poma, owner of Pulse nightclub, Patty Sheehan, city commissioner, and Regina Hill, city commissioner, attend the one-year anniversary memorial service for victims of the mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 before being killed himself by police in a shootout at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Loren Elliott, Tampa Bay Times via The Associated PressCommunity members mourn together during a community gathering at the Pulse nightclub memorial site in Orlando, Fla., Monday, June 12, 2017. A gunman opened fire at the nightclub one year ago in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, killing 49 people.
Loren Elliott, Tampa Bay Times via The Associated PressGeovanni Vargas hugs a supportive stranger during a community gathering at the Pulse nightclub memorial site in Orlando, Fla., Monday, June 12, 2017. A gunman opened fire at the nightclub one year ago in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, killing 49 people. Vargas previously worked at Pulse and lost a friend in the shooting. (Loren Elliott/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Kayla O'Brien, Orlando Sentinel via The Associated PressLizbeth DaVila looks over the rocks painted with inspirational messages at the "Hugs Not Hate" heart memorial outside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., on Monday, June 12, 2017, in honor of the 49 people who lost their lives in the shooting one year ago.
Pool / Strstr, AFP/Getty ImagesA visitor places flowers beneath a wall at the Pulse nightclub, adorned with heart-shaped floral wreaths with the names of the mass shooting victims, during a memorial in Orlando, Florida on June 12, 2017. Orlando marked the first anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting that left 49 dead and 53 wounded, one year after gunman Omar Mateen opened deadly fire inside the gay nightclub after pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group.
Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel via The Associated PressOrquidea Martínez Fuentes cries for her son at the Pulse nightclub during a ceremony at the club in Orlando, Fla., that commemorated the one-year anniversary of the June 12, 2016, massacre that killed 49. Her son, Alejandro Barrios Martínez, was killed in the mass the shooting.
Loren Elliott, Tampa Bay Times via The Associated PressVolunteer angel Tom Williams is seen with fellow angels during a community gathering at the Pulse nightclub memorial site in Orlando, Fla., Monday, June 12, 2017. A gunman opened fire at the nightclub one year ago in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, killing 49 people. (Loren Elliott/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Loren Elliott, Tampa Bay Times via The Associated PressAngel Ayala, left, and girlfriend Carla Montanez lean on each other during a community gathering at the Pulse nightclub memorial site in Orlando, Fla., Monday, June 12, 2017. A gunman opened fire at the nightclub one year ago in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, killing 49 people.
Loren Elliott, Tampa Bay Times via The Associated PressPainted rocks are seen at the Pulse nightclub memorial site in Orlando, Fla., Monday, June 12, 2017. A gunman opened fire at the nightclub one year ago in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, killing 49 people. (Loren Elliott/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Loren Elliott, Tampa Bay Times via The Associated PressMourners hold hands during a community gathering at the Pulse nightclub memorial site in Orlando, Fla., Monday, June 12, 2017. A gunman opened fire at the nightclub one year ago in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, killing 49 people.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
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Dave Morales (L) and Leigh Fannin hold hands as they attend the one-year anniversary memorial service for victims of the mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub on June 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 before being killed himself by police in a shootout at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
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By Glen Barber | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
ORLANDO, Fla. — Church bells tolled 49 times, a giant rainbow flag hung from a county government building and the names of the victims of the Pulse nightclub attack were read aloud at various ceremonies Monday as people in Orlando and beyond remembered the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
At 2:02 a.m., survivors, victims’ families, club employees and local officials were gathered for a private service at the gay club at the exact time Omar Mateen opened fire a year ago and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. He was eventually killed by police after a three-hour standoff on June 12, 2016.