ORLANDO, Fla. – Members of the Orlando community gathered at Pulse nightclub for the fourth and final remembrance event held Monday to honor the victims of the Pulse tragedy.
Ceremonies were held throughout the day to remember the 49 victims who were killed in the massacre one year ago. State and local leaders, victims and their families and other community members came together to pay their respects.
[PHOTOS: Orlando remembers Pulse one year later]
A private ceremony was held inside the nightclub for survivors, victims' families and a few others early Monday. Another ceremony, which was open to the public, was held outside the club in the afternoon.
Thousands later gathered around Lake Eola for a third remembrance event, during which 49 candles were lit as each victims' name was read.
People surrounded the nightclub for the final remembrance event that began just after 10 p.m.
Nightclub owner Barbara Poma spoke during the ceremony as she closed out 24 hours of honoring the victims.
Poma said it was important to her to begin the day of remembrance at the nightclub at midnight Sunday and end it there at midnight Monday.
She praised the community for its response to the tragedy over the last year and expressed strong hope that unity would continue in the coming days.