6 months later, 49 killed in Pulse nightclub massacre are remembered in Orlando

Relatives, friends and survivors of the Orlando nightclub massacre stood outside Pulse where candles were lit behind stars with the names of each of the 49 patrons who were killed, as they remembered the six-month anniversary on Monday of the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

They hugged each other outside the shuttered gay club, and at 2:02 a.m., the exact time gunman Omar Mateen started shooting inside the club, a moment of silence was held. They then read the names of each of the deceased patrons.

Many wore black and others wore rainbow-colored "Orlando United" T-shirts and ball caps.

Dozens of other patrons were seriously injured during the June 12 massacre.

"Time really does fly," said Orlando Torres, who hid in a bathroom when the shooting started. "It was very somber and very touching."

Torres spoke to reporters after the early-morning remembrance, which was closed to the public and media.

"This morning was very emotional. To the beautiful 49 we will never forget and continue to keep your pulse," the official Pulse Twitter account read Monday.

Two other services were planned in Orlando for the Pulse victims later in the day.

The gates around Pulse were going to be open in the evening, again, this time for a public remembrance. Another service also was planned in the evening at the Orange County Regional History Center.

After the service, the history center was opening an exhibit of digital photos showing Orlando's response to the mass shooting. Tens of thousands of central Florida residents attended memorial services for the Pulse victims in the days after the massacre and rainbow flags were hung all over the metro area in support of the gay community.

Also on Monday, the city of Orlando launched a program that allows businesses to designate themselves as safe places for gays and lesbians if they feel threatened. Orlando police officers began distributing decals to local businesses to post in their windows identifying them as places members of the LGBTQ community can go if they feel they are in jeopardy.

Mateen, who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, was killed in a shootout with SWAT team members after a three-hour standoff. The FBI is still investigating the massacre.

The future of the nightclub is still up in the air. Pulse's owner last week said she is no longer interested selling the property to the city of Orlando which had planned to use it for a memorial.

Owner Barbara Poma says she plans to use the space to create a "sanctuary of hope" and a welcoming area where people can reflect on those affected by the tragedy.