Pulse survivors and families visit nightclub for the first time since the attack

Before demolishing the Pulse nightclub to build the permanent memorial, victims’ families and survivors of the 2016 attack had the chance to visit the building this past week for the first time.

The City of Orlando coordinated the visits, leading about 250 people through privacy curtains to see the site of the mass shooting. Each group had 30 minutes inside, after being transported by bus from downtown Orlando.

This would be the only chance for people to go inside before construction on the memorial begins later this year. The building has been off limits for nine years since the attack.

Visits happened over four days, beginning early in the week for family members of victims and continuing through Thursday and Friday, when survivors and their loved ones went.