Pulse nightclub owner no longer wants to sell property targeted by mass shooting

Law enforcement officials work at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. (Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistribu)

The owner of the nightclub where the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history took place said Monday she's no longer interested in selling the property to the city of Orlando.

Barbara Poma, the owner of Pulse nightclub, said in a statement she "can't just walk away" from the gay nightclub.

"I feel a personal obligation to ensure that a permanent space at Pulse be created so that all generations to come will remember those affected by, and taken on, June 12th," she said.

Poma said she intends to create "a space for everyone, sanctuary of hope, and a welcoming area to remember all those affected by the tragedy."

Last month, the city of Orlando announced plans to purchase the nightclub and eventually build a memorial on the property. The city planned to pay $2.25 million for the site.

Forty-nine people were killed and dozens more injured after gunman Omar Mateen, who pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a 911 call during the rampage, opened fire inside the nightclub in June.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.