On Sunday night and Monday morning, the world felt the shock of hearing of the horrific mass shooting that took place in Las Vegas on Sunday night. As of press time, 59 people have died and 527 were injured in what is being called the worst mass shooting in modern American history. Though celebrities and public figures have expressed condolences for the victims and their families, it’s important to remember who they were as individuals. Here’s who they were:
Sonny Melton
Sonny was a 29-year-old married nurse from Tennessee. He was in Vegas with his wife, Heather Melton, an orthopedic surgeon. Heather survived the attack because of an act of bravery by her husband. She told CNN, “He saved my life. He grabbed me and started running when I felt him get shot in the back,” she said. “I want everyone to know what a kind-hearted, loving man he was, but at this point, I can barely breathe.” (Photo via Facebook)
Hannah Ahlers
Hannah, 35, was a daring woman who loved skydiving, poolside vacations, and all-around fun. The mother of three leaves behind her kids and her husband of 16 years, Brian. A friend told the LA Times that Hannah was “possibly one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, with a heart to match,” adding, “she was a devoted mother and wife.” (Photo via Facebook)
Jordan McIldoon
This 25-year-old from Canada’s west coast spent his final moments with another concertgoer, who, in the confusion, ended up by McIldoon’s side. Heather Gooze didn’t want him to end up alone and become a John Doe, so she stayed by his side, relaying his death to his mother when she phoned.
Carrie Barnette
34-year-old Carrie was celebrating a friend’s 30th birthday in Vegas when they were caught in the tragic events of October 1. The eldest of three siblings, Carrie had spent the last 11 years working at Disneyland in her native California.
Rachel Parker
Rachel worked for the Manhattan Beach police department for 10 years in their records department. She had headed to the Route 91 Harvest festival with three other Manhattan Beach Police employees, but was the only one to succumb to her injuries. “She was just a great, great worker, always happy — definitely had her whole future ahead of her,” said Manhattan Beach police spokeswoman Kristi Colombo. “I’m heartbroken and speechless.” (Photo via Manhattan Beach Police)
Denise Burditus
This West Virginia mother and grandmother was at the country festival with her husband of 32 years, Tony, who snapped a pic of them just hours before the shooting took his wife’s life. Taking to Facebook, Tony said of his partner, “It saddens me to say that I lost my wife of 32 years, a mother of two, soon to be grandmother of five this evening in the Las Vegas shooting. Denise passed in my arms. I LOVE YOU BABE.”
Sandy Casey
A middle school teacher who worked with special needs kids, Sandy was “loved by students and colleagues alike and will be remembered for her sense of humor, her passion for her work, her devotion to her students, and her commitment to continuing her own learning and to taking on whatever new projects came her way,” the Manhattan Beach Unified School District said in a statement. “She has made a tremendous difference in the lives of her students and their families, many of whom worked with her over multiple years.
Dana Gardner
Dana Gardner had suffered through a mass shooting before. The San Bernadino native worked as the deputy recorder-county clerk during her hometown’s 2015 shooting. She was at Route 91 with one of her daughters, who was uninjured during the shooting.
Tom Day Jr.
Father of four Tom was with all of his adult kids, all in their 20s and 30s, at the country music festival in Las Vegas this past weekend. Tom’s dad, Tom Sr. lives in the greater Las Vegas area and is currently mourning with his grandkids. (Photo via Facebook)
Charleston Heartfield
Charleston Hartfield, 34, was an off-duty Las Vegas police officer, youth football coach, and military veteran.
Our deepest condolences to his family and friends. R.I.P 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/7Jstw8E4EI— Military Support (@MilitaryEarth) October 3, 2017
The 34-year-old military vet, football coach, and off-duty LVPD officer was at the fest with many other off-duty officers. “I don’t know a better man than Charles. They say it’s always the good ones we lose early. There’s no truer statement than that with Charles,” Hartfield’s friend Troy Rhett told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Our hearts have just been very heavy since hearing the news.”
Angela Gomez
Only 20 years old, the Californian graduated high school in 2015 and was currently enrolled in community college classes.
Bailey Schweitzer
Also 20, Bailey was a receptionist with software company Infinity Communications and Consulting in her hometown of Bakersfield, CA.
Jennifer Topaz Irvine
Jennifer was a joy to her friends and colleagues according to her friend, Kyle Kraska. He told the San Diego Union-Tribune that she was like a little sister to him and that the 42-year-old family law attorney was adored.
Jessica Klymchuk
This single mother of four from Alberta, Canada had finally found love again after years of flying solo. Her fiancé, Brent Irla, took her to Las Vegas for the Route 91 Harvest Festival and was by her side when she died. (Photo via Facebook)
Rhonda LeRocque
The resident from Tewksbury, Massachusetts was with her husband, Jason, at the concert. He thought she had ducked when he had, but unfortunately, Rhonda was shot.
Adrian Murfitt
This Alaskan fisherman had gone to Las Vegas with his childhood friend, Brian MacKinnon, to attend the festival. Of his friend, MacKinnon said, “He made me laugh. He was like an Alaskan cowboy, but when he saw a dog he’d turn into a 10-year-old kid.”
John Phippen
The New Yorker, 56, was with his son Travis, an EMT, dancing away at Route 91 when shots rang out. Travis managed to get his father, who’d been shot in the lower back, into a car and to the hospital, where he later died of his injuries. Travis was shot in the arm, but didn’t realize it amid the chaos because he was too busy helping his injured father.
Quinton Robbins
With an incredibly heavy heart. My sweetest nephew has passed away. He was the most kind and loving soul. Everyone who…
Posted by Monday, October 2, 2017
Quinton was the first Las Vegas native to be identified after the attack. The 20-year-old had recently graduated high school.
Lisa Romero
This New Mexico high school secretary was loved by the administration and students alike at Miyamura High School.
Susan Smith
“She was the office manager, which means she was the hub of the school. She was the center of it,” said Jake Finch, a spokeswoman for the Simi Valley Unified School District. “Everyone who came through those doors she knew. She knew the children, she knew the staff, she knew the parents.” Smith was married with children, but currently, not much is known about her family. (Photo via Simi Valley Unified School District)
Neysa Tonks
Neysa was the mom of three, and worked for a technology company. A GoFundMe has been set up to help support her kids in the wake of her death. (Photo via Facebook)
Chris Roybal
#VegasShooting: Christopher Roybal of Corona ID'd by mom as victim. The military vet served in Afghanistan & would've turned 29 next week. pic.twitter.com/EyYJ28xE3D
— Veronica Miracle (@ABC7Veronica) October 3, 2017
After surviving a tour of duty in Afghanistan, this military vet was in Las Vegas with his mom to celebrate his upcoming 29th birthday.
Here’s how to help the Las Vegas victims, and how to take care of yourself in the wake of the weekend’s tragedy.
(Featured photo via Drew Angerer/Getty)
