Photo: Photo by Rafa Elias / Moment / Getty Images
FLORIDA - Florida will observe a statewide moment of remembrance on Thursday as flags are lowered to commemorate the lives lost in the Pulse nightclub tragedy.
Governor Ron DeSantis issued an official memorandum on Wednesday ordering that all United States and Florida flags at state and local government buildings be flown at half staff from sunrise until sunset on June 12th.
The gesture marks the ninth anniversary of the mass shooting that occurred at Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12th, 2016.
In that attack, a gunman who allegedly claimed allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant opened fire inside the popular LGBTQ nightclub, killing 49 people and injuring 53 others.
The memorandum reads that the action is being taken "as a mark of respect for the victims, their families, and the many affected by this tragedy."
It officially recognizes June 12 as Pulse Remembrance Day in the state of Florida.
The nightclub was hosting Latin Night at the time of the attack and had drawn a large crowd in celebration of Pride Month.
The shooter was later killed during a standoff with law enforcement.
Investigations revealed that the attacker made a 911 call during the assault in which he allegedly pledged support to ISIS, though the FBI later found no direct ties between the gunman and the terrorist organization.
Florida has marked Pulse Remembrance Day each year since the tragedy, often with proclamations and flag-lowering ceremonies.