Jason Aldean, Ariana Grande, More Artists Respond To Tragedy In Las Vegas
By Jon Wiederhorn and Robyn Collins
LAS VEGAS (RADIO.COM) – Jason Aldean was onstage performing at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada when a gunman opened fire, killing at least 58 and wounding more than 515 people. It was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. History, CBS News reports.
Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo said the shooter was on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casinos, across the street from the country music festival, when he opened fire for more than 10 minutes. "We believe it's a solo actor. A lone wolf," Lombardo said.
The gunman, who was found dead at the scene, was a local resident, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock of Mesquite, Nevada. Two police sources said that it does appear that the shootings were an act of terrorism and that Paddock was known to police in Mesquite and had a criminal history.
After the shooting, Aldean wrote that he and his crew were safe and offered prayers for the victims and their loved ones. "Tonight has been beyond horrific," he wrote. "I still don't 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. #heartbroken #stopthehate."
Aldean was the last performer of the three-day festival. Eric Church, Sam Hunt, Jake Owen and Big & Rich are just a few of the other acts that were on the Route 91 Harvest Festival bill.
Las Vegas Metro PD has set up a hotline to assist with anyone searching for missing family and friends. That number is 866-535-5654.
The Vegas police also advise those wishing to donate blood to visit the Labor Health & Welfare Clinic, 7135 W. Sahara Las Vegas, NV 89117.
Artists from across genres took to social media this morning to share the grief and support. Including Ariana Grande, who's Manchester concert was also a target of attack, back in May 2017.
Grande tweeted "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."
See other messages from artists below:
Words can't begin explain my sadness. My family and I are praying for the victims of this tragedy. Truly heartbroken.
— Luke Bryan (@lukebryan) October 2, 2017
— Thomas Rhett (@ThomasRhett) October 2, 2017
Played Route 91 in Vegas the night before last. We were all singing. I'm in shock over this. Heartbroken for all those lives taken too soon.
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) 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 ???? (@lukecombs) October 2, 2017
I'm sickened. Praying for all. In London and just heard what happened to our friends in Las Vegas.
— Randy Houser (@RandyHouser) 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
My heart goes out to everyone in Las Vegas at @Jason_Aldean show. Such a tragedy. #GunControlNow
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) October 2, 2017
My heart is sick over the news in Las Vegas. Praying 4 everyone in the country community & everyone at the scene.
— Charles Kelley (@charleskelleyla) October 2, 2017
just woke up...can't believe this is where we are now as a nation. Mind you this is w/o context ---how in god's name do they have auto? How? https://t.co/sqoF7PbkJW
— Questo (@questlove) October 2, 2017
????my heart. @Route91Harvest.
— Miranda Lambert (@mirandalambert) October 2, 2017
My heart is breaking for everyone in Vegas tonight. Simply devastating. So much loss.
— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) October 2, 2017
Praying for all the innocent victims and their families in Las Vegas - Céline xx... #LasVegas
— Celine Dion (@celinedion) October 2, 2017
My HEART Goes out to the victims caught in the Tragedy That has taken place in #LasVegas tonight!
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) October 2, 2017
Sending love and solidarity to the victims and loved ones of yet another mass shooting, as if… https://t.co/UDtt0NHeGZ
— Gloria Estefan (@GloriaEstefan) October 2, 2017
Stilled and speechless... Our hearts and prayers are with everyone involved and affected. - KU
— Keith Urban (@KeithUrban) October 2, 2017
Woke up to the heartbreaking news from Las Vegas, my thoughts are with everyone and their families. Love. H
— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) October 2, 2017
the events in Las Vegas are beyond anyone's comprehension. My thoughts and love are with everyone affected by this senseless tragedy ????????❤️
— Liam (@LiamPayne) October 2, 2017
Thoughts are with the victims and families of this terrible tragedy in Vegas .
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) October 2, 2017
Devastated waking up to the news of the shooting in Las Vegas. Praying for the victims and their families and friends. #PRAYERSFORVEGAS
— Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) October 2, 2017
Woke up to such horrible news. We are praying for the victims and their families. May the Lord bring some comfort to them.
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) October 2, 2017
I cannot believe what I am waking up to this am. None of us are untouched by this hate. It must stop. My heart's shattered #PrayForLasVegas
— Scott Borchetta (@scottborchetta) October 2, 2017
???????????? pic.twitter.com/41f0RIDCj3
— Brett Eldredge (@bretteldredge) October 2, 2017
Saying a prayer for all the victims & their loved ones, also for the residents & visitors of Las Vegas! This was a horrific act of terror!!
— Rihanna (@rihanna) October 2, 2017
Heartbroken over the news of Vegas. My thoughts with all the innocent victims and their families x
— Shania Twain ???? (@ShaniaTwain) October 2, 2017
???????? for Vegas.
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) October 2, 2017
Praying for everyone in Las Vegas tonite. Please get to safety, help one another out. This is absolutely horrific. Our hearts are broken.
— Nickelback (@Nickelback) October 2, 2017
Waking up 2 this awful Las Vegas news. So sorry for those of you who have lost loved ones. This is so damn heartbreaking.
— Duff McKagan (@DuffMcKagan) October 2, 2017
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
There are no words to express the helplessness and sorrow my broken heart feels for the victims in Vegas and their families.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) October 2, 2017
One year ago we played Route 91 on Sunday night. Our prayers are with all the first responders, artists, crew and mostly the country fans. pic.twitter.com/CTGg7Qm6MJ
— Little Big Town (@littlebigtown) October 2, 2017
Vegas????
— Rise Against (@riseagainst) October 2, 2017
Waking up to this horrible news in Las Vegas is so heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who were tragically involved
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) October 2, 2017
This is terrorism plain and simple. Terror bares no race, gender or religion. Democrats & Republicans please unite now #guncontrol ????????
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) October 2, 2017
Its hard to find words. Praying for all the victims and their families in Las Vegas and all who were affected...which is really all of us.
— Martina McBride (@martinamcbride) October 2, 2017
Completely heartbroken over the news this morning. Keeping the victims of last night's tragedy in Las Vegas in my prayers ???? #PrayForLasVegas pic.twitter.com/ay0BP86om0
— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) October 2, 2017
my heart goes out to everyone affected in last night's horrific tragedy. praying for healing and for change. #lasvegas
— Fergie (@Fergie) October 2, 2017
The news from Las Vegas is heartbreaking. Devastating.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) October 2, 2017
Oh my heart. #lasvegas ????
— Sara Bareilles (@SaraBareilles) October 2, 2017
No words. Just grief, sadness, and the never-ending attempt to make sense of something utterly senseless. Love to all in Las Vegas.
— John Mayer (@JohnMayer) October 2, 2017
Our hearts ache for you Las Vegas, and our thoughts & prayers are with the victims and their families ♥️ pic.twitter.com/uEqMS9wVf1
— Fifth Harmony (@FifthHarmony) October 2, 2017
Heartbroken by the tragedy that occurred in Las Vegas. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this senseless act of violence.
— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) October 2, 2017
My heart is broken for Las Vegas. Music is a place to find refuge not fear. Praying for the victims and their families.
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) October 2, 2017
Watching the news in tears. Something needs to change!!!!!!! This hate has to stop!!!!! Heartbreaking
— samsmith (@samsmith) October 2, 2017
https://t.co/8MRvbINsOT pic.twitter.com/EadG0qxl3r
— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) October 2, 2017
Vegas,there are no words to express the pain of this kind of heartbreak all of my love and prayers for the victims, families and responders
— camila (@Camila_Cabello) October 2, 2017
I ❤️ Las Vegas...feeling so broken this morning
— jlo (@JLo) October 2, 2017
My prayers and heart go out to all the victims and families of this tragic mass murder. We clearly need solutions, not more hashtags. LOVE❤
— PRELUDE (@LaurenJauregui) October 2, 2017
The Rolling Stones send their deepest condolences to all those affected by the terrible shooting at Route 91 in Vegas.
— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) 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
Prayers to Vegas ???????? pic.twitter.com/7aBEAR8IRu
— Kane Brown (@kanebrown) October 2, 2017
Our hearts are with you, Las Vegas. ❤️
— THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS (@30SECONDSTOMARS) October 2, 2017
Praying for all in Las Vegas. So senseless and sad. My heart bleeds for all the victims.
— KidRock (@KidRock) October 2, 2017
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