America woke up to a scene of unprecedented horror today, as news of the worst mass shooting in the country’s history began to spread. The latest report indicates that at least 58 people are dead and 515 injured after a domestic terrorist, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, opened fire from his room on the 32nd floor of Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Hotel on 22,000-person crowd gathered for a Jason Aldean concert.
Aldean had just taken the stage for his headline set on the final night of the Route 91 Harvest Festival when Paddock, who authorities say had “at least ten rifles” in his hotel room, fired into the crowd. The first shots, which observers initially thought were fireworks, were reported at 10:08. By 11:58, following a shootout in the Mandalay Bay Hotel itself, police reported that Paddock was “down,” dead of a self-inflicted gunshot.
Almost immediately, performers at the Route 91 festival took to social media to express their shock and grief. Jason Aldean called the night “beyond horrific”:
Brittany Aldean also used the word “horrific,” and added “No words for what happened”:
Jake Owen, who performed immediately before Aldean, tweeted during the shooting, trying to warn others:
Gun shots!!! Vegas. Pray to god. Love you guys. Love you Pearl.
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) 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
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
Sam Hunt headlined the festival on Saturday night:
Former president Barack Obama tweeted his grief and condolences:
Michelle & I are praying for the victims in Las Vegas. Our thoughts are with their families & everyone enduring another senseless tragedy.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 2, 2017
Ariana Grande, who suffered a similar tragedy during a terror attack at one of her concerts this past May, was quick to respond:
My heart is breaking for Las Vegas. We need love, unity, peace, gun control & for people to look at this & call this what it is = terrorism.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) October 2, 2017
Celine Dion, whose own Las Vegas concert series runs at Cesars, expressed her shock on Instagram:
Jennifer Lopez shared contact information for those eager to help the wounded:
Blood donation centers below #LasVegas pic.twitter.com/O9InGWW3P9
— Jennifer Lopez (@JLo) October 2, 2017
Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda reminded us that we can all be helpful:
You can give blood.
You can help Puerto Rico.
You can help the Virgin Islands.
You can help Mexico.
No shortage of ways to do good today.— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) October 2, 2017
You can also put down your phone or close your computer and take a walk. That's what I just did. We need you for the long haul. We need you.
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) October 2, 2017
You can volunteer.
You can call your representatives.
You can find a place to send supplies.
No shortage of ways to do good today.— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) October 2, 2017
Country star Blake Shelton simply asked, “…Why?”:
My deepest sympathies and prayers to anyone has been affected by the Vegas shooting last night. I don't even know anymore… Why?
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) October 2, 2017
And Khloe Kardashian channeled the thoughts and fears of many when she said “Things have got to change”:
I can't believe this!! The deadliest mass shooting in US history! ?My sincerest condolences to everybody there! My prayers are with you! ?
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) October 2, 2017
This is heartbreaking to learn about! Things have got to change! ??
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) October 2, 2017
(Photo credits: Las Vegas shooting Jason Aldean via Instagram, Judy Eddy / WENN.com)
