At least fifty are dead and over 200 have been injured in what is now being called the largest mass shooting on U.S. soil.
Last night, at approximately 10:08pm local time in Las Vegas, a gunman, who is now being identified as sixty-four-year-old Steven Paddock, opened fire on a crowd of over 30,000 country music fans. Paddock stood in a window on the thirty-second floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel and continuously fired automatic weapons into the crowd as Jason Aldean wrapped up his set.
Las Vegas police have announced that the suspect is deceased following the department utilizing an explosive device to enter his hotel room, and an additional person of interest is now in custody.
Many country artists, personnel, and industry members were present for the event, and several have shared on social media that they are safe, albeit terrified and devastated.
Gun shots!!! Vegas. Pray to god. Love you guys. Love you Pearl.
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) October 2, 2017
I love you guys
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) October 2, 2017
Praying for everyone at Route 91. That crowd was one of the best I’ve played for all year. This news is devastating. My camp is home & safe.
— Lauren Alaina (@Lauren_Alaina) October 2, 2017
Praying for everyone here in Vegas. I witnessed the most unimaginable event tonight. We are okay. Others arent. Please pray.
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) October 2, 2017
Spent I don’t know how long on the floor of a trailer behind the stage… know multiple people are dead. Listening to that gunfire…
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) October 2, 2017
Everyone in the B&R camp is ok thoughts and prayers to everyone in vegas at #Route91
— Big & Rich (@bigandrich) October 2, 2017
Gun shots were ringing off of the stage rigging and road cases. No one knew where to go..thank you LVPD and responders for keeping us safe
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) October 2, 2017
I’m not gonna say anything else other than I’m lucky to be alive. As are many others… and so many people are gone… this is heartbreaking
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) October 2, 2017
Me, the band, and crew are all safe. Been a long night, gonna try to get some sleep. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.
— Luke Combs (@LukeCombsMusic) October 2, 2017
Jason Aldean posted on Instagram that he and his crew are safe in this touching and heartbreaking statement:
Tonight has been beyond horrific. I still dont know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that Me and my Crew are safe. My Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved tonight. It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night.
Please hold the victims, first responders, and those personally affected by this tragic event up in your prayers this morning. We are very fortunate that the artists we love and cover are able to go home and hug their loved ones, but more than fifty country music fans have lost their lives while hundreds of others are being treated at this time.
Our thoughts and prayers are not just with the country music genre, but with the entire nation, on this incredibly sad morning.
This Article Was Originally Posted at www.NashvilleGab.com