Remembering the Parkland shooting from Central Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Central Florida will join together on Thursday to remember the 17 lives lost in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
The shooting, which occurred on February 14th, 2018, renewed the national debate on guns and school safety, turned some victims' parents and surviving students into political activists and ended the local sheriff's career - at least for now.
But Thursday, the anniversary of the tragic event, is about remembering the 14 students and three staff members who died in the third high-profile mass shooting in Florida since 2016.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has scheduled a moment of silence for 3 p.m. on Thursday. He also has ordered flags to fly at half-staff across the state.
RELATED: One year later: A time to remember the Parkland shooting victims
The One Pulse Foundation is holding a moment of silence as well, but at 2:21 p.m. outside of where Pulse Nightlcub stood. That is the exact time the shooting began.
The University of Central Florida is holding a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. at the Memory Mall.
RELATED: These are the lives lost in the Florida high school shooting
The accused Parkland shooter, Nikolas Cruz, is in prison awaiting trial. He could face the death penalty.