ORLANDO, Fla. — Wednesday marks three years since a gunman murdered 49 people, injured 53 others and traumatized hundreds more at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
Survivors, victims' relatives, first responders and residents will gather Wednesday for a series of events to celebrate the lives of those who died in the June 12, 2016, mass shooting.
Tolling of the bells
Bells were tolled 49 times, beginning at noon, to commemorate the life of each person who died in the shootings at the gay nightclub.
St. James Catholic Cathedral and First United Methodist Church of Orlando in downtown Orlando were among the more than 600 churches worldwide that were expected to partake in the observance.
WATCH LIVE: Bells toll for 49 Pulse victimsWATCH LIVE: Bells are tolling across the world in tribute to the 49 Pulse victims. Read more about today's memorial events: https://at.wftv.com/31qiHSe
Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Remembrance ceremony
The third annual remembrance ceremony was held at the shuttered club from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The event, which wa open to the public, was emceed by Channel 9 anchors Jorge Estevez and Nancy Alvarez and was streamed live on wftv.com, the WFTV news app and Facebook Live.
WATCH LIVE: Community gathers to remember Pulse victimsWATCH LIVE: The community has gathered to remember the victims of the Pulse nightclub attack three years later. Read: at.wftv.com/2Ztm8WT
Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Who we lost
Click here to learn more about the 49 victims in English, and click here to learn more about them in Spanish.
Road closures
West Esther Street will be closed between South Lucerne Terrace and South Orange Avenue from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The right southbound lane of South Orange Avenue between West Kaley and West Harding streets will also be closed during those hours.
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