The Victims of Las Vegas

•  After the shooting during the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas, details are now emerging about the victims of the attack. The Las Vegas attack claimed the lives of at least 59 people at the concert. Hannah Ahlers was a 35-year-old mother of three from California, who is remembered by her friends for her ability to “create happiness wherever she went.” Carrie Barnette, 34, was an employe at Disney California Adventure who was in Las Vegas celebrating a friend’s 30th birthday. In response to the news, Disney CEO Robert Iger tweeted, “A senseless, horrific, act, and a terrible loss for so many. We mourn a wonderful member of the Disney family: Carrie Barnette. Tragic.” Heroically, California native Jack Beaton died shielding his wife Laurie from the gunfire. She fortunately survived. Denise Burditus died in the arms of her husband Tony. He wrote on Facebook, “”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 lived in West Virginia and was pursuing a college degree at age 50. Sandy Casey was a special education teacher at the Manhattan Beach Middle School in California. The school superintendent said in a statement, “We lost a spectacular teacher who devoted her life to helping some of our most needy students.”  Thomas Day Jr. from Riverside was attending the festival with his children, who are in their 20’s and 30’s. His father, Thomas Day, Sr., said “He was the best dad. That’s why the kids were with him.”  Dana Gardner worked for the San Bernadino County assessor-recorder-clerk and was attending the concert with one of her daughters. Angie Gomez graduated from Riverside Polytechnic High School in 2015. The cheerleading community from her alma mater raised money for Angie’s memorial fund on GoFundMe. Charleston Hartfield was a Las Vegas police officer who was off-duty during the time of the attack. Hartfield was a veteran, he coached a local youth football team, and even wrote a memoir about being a police officer in Vegas. Jennifer Irvine, a criminal defense and family law attorney, was described by a longtime friend as “a smart, friendly and bubbly woman who enjoyed life and brought joy to others.”  Jessica Klymchuk, a mother of 4, was visiting Las Vegas with her fiancé. Rhonda LeRocque, 42, travelled from Tewskbury, Massachusetts, with her family to attend the festival. Rhonda’s mother said, “She was the one who threw all the events and family gatherings, and she was the hostess with the mostess, and she was just beautiful inside and out.” Jordan McIldoon from British Columbia was going to turn 24 this Friday. His parents told the CBC, “We only had one child. We just don’t know what to do.” Calla Medig was visiting from her native Canada, attending the Route 91 Harvest festival for the third year in a row. Sonny Melton was a registered emergency room nurse who is remembered for his genuine kindness and heroism. Sonny died saving his wife Heather from the attack. Adrian Murfitt, 35, was a commercial fisherman from Alaska in Las Vegas with friends to celebrate the end of the season. Murfitt was shot in the neck, and died in the arms of one of his friends. Racheal Parker, 33, was a record technician for the Manhattan Beach Police Department who was attending the concert with fellow officers. 20-year-old Quinton Robbins was a student at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is remember by family and friends for his positive attitude and contagious smile. Lisa Romero-Muniz was a secretary at a high school in New Mexico. A school official said in a statement, “She was an incredible, loving, and sincere friend, mentor, and advocate for our students in many of the schools in which she worked at.” Christopher Roybal, 28, from Corona, California, was a Navy veteran who served in Afghanistan. Back in July, Roybal discussed the the topic of being shot at while serving in the Navy. According to Buzzfeed, Roybal said he was asked this question frequently. “My response has always been the same, not one filled with a sense of pride or ego, but an answer filled with truth and genuine fear/anger,” Roybal wrote.He described his combat experiences as “a nightmare no amount of drugs, no amount of therapy and no amount of drunk talks with your war veteran buddies will ever be able to escape.” Bailey Schweitzer, 20, touched the lives of her co-workers at Infinity Communications and Consulting, a software company in Bakersfield, California, where employees described as “everything to us.”.The office held a candle-lit vigil for her on Mondayevening. Susan Smith, 53, was an office manager at a California middle school. She worked at the school district for 16 years, was a devoted wife and mother to two children now in their 20’s. Neysa Tonks was a mother of three from Irvine, California. Neysa’s employer said in a statement, “She has brought so much joy, fun and laughter to Technologent — she will be greatly missed by all!” John Phippen, a contractor from Snata Clarita, California, was dancing with his son at the concert when he was hit in the back with a bullet. John’s son Travis told reporters, ““He was my best friend… He was always kind and gentle. He was the biggest teddy bear I knew.” Michelle Vo, 32, worked in the insurance business in Los Angeles, played golf and was a fan of the Golden State Warriors. She was visiting Vegas to attend the country music festival. Details are still emerging, and victims are still being identified. Please keep those affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers. If you are looking for a way to help, you can donate blood with help from your local Red Cross, or you can contact Congress and demand common-sense gun control at act.everytown.com.

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