SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) – Monday was a day of prayer and remembrance in Las Vegas for the victims and survivors of the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival one year ago.
On October 1, 2017, Stephen Paddock was killed by police after he fired from his Mandalay Bay hotel killing 58 people – including San Diegan Jennifer Irvine. More than 800 people were injured. On Monday, organizers released 58 doves for those who died.
“It seems like it was just yesterday,” said Cynthia Garcia, who survived the shooting.
U.S. Marine Corp Taylor Winston, from Ocean Beach, was one of the heroes. He commandeered a stranger’s truck and transported many of the injured to the hospital. “It was absolutely horrific seeing piles of people shot killed,” he said.
Survivors said fundraisers and groups make them stronger, but returning to Las Vegas to remember and honor those lost was overwhelming.
“No one understands the terror that we had that night – the sadness that we have for the 58,” said Garcia.
A San Diego therapist, who is also a survivor, leads a weekly support group at Cahoots. The therapist said there are 200 survivors and loved ones who have attended.
On Monday night, officials read the names of the 58 people who were killed in last year's mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip to mark the anniversary of the tragedy.
The names were read Monday before survivors and family members of the victims shortly after 10:05 p.m., the time when the Oct. 1, 2017, shooting on the Las Vegas Strip began.
Monday's ceremony at a downtown Las Vegas park where trees have been planted for every victim began with two minutes of bagpipes. Candles were also lit to commemorate those killed, and sobs could be heard in the crowd.
Many in attendance are wearing T-shirts and other apparel with the Vegas Strong message that became a rallying cry for the city after the shooting.
RELATED