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The Las Vegas Shooting Victims: Beyond the Names The Las Vegas Victims and Their Stories
(about 1 hour later)
The evening had begun in celebration. Thousands gathered for another night of song at the long-anticipated country music festival. Some had driven or flown to Las Vegas for the three days of shows from faraway places — Tennessee, California, Alaska. And in the days and weeks before the festival, some had excitedly posted messages on social media, counting down until its start.The evening had begun in celebration. Thousands gathered for another night of song at the long-anticipated country music festival. Some had driven or flown to Las Vegas for the three days of shows from faraway places — Tennessee, California, Alaska. And in the days and weeks before the festival, some had excitedly posted messages on social media, counting down until its start.
But when the gunfire — sudden and rapid — finally ceased on Sunday night, at least 59 people had been killed and hundreds more were injured. The attack at a music festival in Las Vegas was one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history.But when the gunfire — sudden and rapid — finally ceased on Sunday night, at least 59 people had been killed and hundreds more were injured. The attack at a music festival in Las Vegas was one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history.
The authorities have not yet identified all of the people who perished, but relatives, colleagues and friends have shared memories of some of them. Here are the stories of the people who died. This article will be updated.The authorities have not yet identified all of the people who perished, but relatives, colleagues and friends have shared memories of some of them. Here are the stories of the people who died. This article will be updated.
As children growing up in California, they were always together, so close that their names seemed to run together into one: Jenny-and-Bobby.As children growing up in California, they were always together, so close that their names seemed to run together into one: Jenny-and-Bobby.
“She said, ‘I am going to marry Bobby,’” said Jennifer Parks’s aunt, Rhonda Boyle. “I guess she always had a little crush on him.”“She said, ‘I am going to marry Bobby,’” said Jennifer Parks’s aunt, Rhonda Boyle. “I guess she always had a little crush on him.”
They became high school sweethearts and later married. And they were together on Sunday night in Las Vegas, when Ms. Parks, 35, was fatally shot while attending the concert with her husband, Bobby Parks. Mr. Parks was wounded in the arm and a finger, her family said.They became high school sweethearts and later married. And they were together on Sunday night in Las Vegas, when Ms. Parks, 35, was fatally shot while attending the concert with her husband, Bobby Parks. Mr. Parks was wounded in the arm and a finger, her family said.
The Westside Union School District, where she worked, said Ms. Parks “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 Westside Union School District, where she worked, said Ms. Parks “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.”
Ms. Parks was a mother of two, a kindergarten teacher and a volleyball coach in Lancaster, Calif.Ms. Parks was a mother of two, a kindergarten teacher and a volleyball coach in Lancaster, Calif.
“She had a heart of gold,” Ms. Boyle said.“She had a heart of gold,” Ms. Boyle said.
After the first round of shots, Stacee Etcheber’s husband, Vincent, told her to run, he told family members. An off-duty officer with the San Francisco Police Department, he stayed behind to try to help.
Then the second round came.
Mr. Etcheber’s father, Jean, who was babysitting the couple’s two children, 10 and 12, at their Novato, Calif., home, said the family was given confirmation of Ms. Etcheber’s death on Monday night.
Ms. Etcheber, 50, was a hairdresser whose Facebook profile picture shows her working on her beach handstand next to her daughter.
“Please pray for our family during this difficult time,” Ms. Etcheber’s brother-in-law, Al Etcheber, wrote on Facebook on Tuesday morning.
In the last photo that Jack Beaton posted on his Facebook page on Sunday evening, his companions can be seen lounging on the grass, holding beers and smiling at the camera, lights from the country music festival twinkling in the background.In the last photo that Jack Beaton posted on his Facebook page on Sunday evening, his companions can be seen lounging on the grass, holding beers and smiling at the camera, lights from the country music festival twinkling in the background.
“Day Three Route 91 Vegas!” he wrote in the caption.“Day Three Route 91 Vegas!” he wrote in the caption.
Hours later, Mr. Beaton, of Bakersfield, Calif., was killed while shielding his wife, Laurie, from gunfire, his family said.Hours later, Mr. Beaton, of Bakersfield, Calif., was killed while shielding his wife, Laurie, from gunfire, his family said.
His father-in-law, Jerry Cook, told BakersfieldNow.com that Mr. Beaton had covered his wife’s body with his own, and was shot. “He told her he loved her,” he said. “Laurie could tell he was slipping. She told him she loved him and she would see him in heaven.”His father-in-law, Jerry Cook, told BakersfieldNow.com that Mr. Beaton had covered his wife’s body with his own, and was shot. “He told her he loved her,” he said. “Laurie could tell he was slipping. She told him she loved him and she would see him in heaven.”
Mr. Beaton was gregarious and always helping other people; a family man who adored driving his truck with his hat on sideways, Mr. Cook said.Mr. Beaton was gregarious and always helping other people; a family man who adored driving his truck with his hat on sideways, Mr. Cook said.
Mr. Beaton’s son, Jake, paid tribute to his father on Facebook. “Lost my best friend,” he wrote. “I love you so much more than you could ever imagine. Please watch over our family. You will forever be remembered as our hero!”Mr. Beaton’s son, Jake, paid tribute to his father on Facebook. “Lost my best friend,” he wrote. “I love you so much more than you could ever imagine. Please watch over our family. You will forever be remembered as our hero!”
Hannah Ahlers, 34 and a mother of three, grew up listening to country music and was a huge fan. She went to the concert on Sunday with her husband, Brian Ahlers, whom she had met in high school. They had been married 17 years, and lived in Beaumont, Calif.
Her brother, Lance Miller, confirmed Ms. Ahlers’s death. Her family described her as having “loved life and people.”
“She was our sunshine,” they said in a statement.
She was a homemaker, an active member in her children’s schools and community, and was very involved with extracurricular activities, including her daughter’s volleyball team.
“She wasn’t too good for anybody,” Mr. Ahlers said in the statement. “Beautiful, inside and out.”
Kurt Von Tillow, 55, was “the most patriotic person you’ve ever met,” his brother-in-law, Mark Carson, told KCRA, a local NBC News station for Cameron Park, Calif., the small town in the Sierra foothills near Sacramento where Mr. Von Tillow lived.Kurt Von Tillow, 55, was “the most patriotic person you’ve ever met,” his brother-in-law, Mark Carson, told KCRA, a local NBC News station for Cameron Park, Calif., the small town in the Sierra foothills near Sacramento where Mr. Von Tillow lived.
Mr. Von Tillow had traveled to Las Vegas for the concert with family members. His wife and daughter escaped unharmed, Mr. Carson said. Mr. Von Tillow’s sister was shot in the thigh and his niece in an ankle. Both are expected to recover.Mr. Von Tillow had traveled to Las Vegas for the concert with family members. His wife and daughter escaped unharmed, Mr. Carson said. Mr. Von Tillow’s sister was shot in the thigh and his niece in an ankle. Both are expected to recover.
Mr. Von Tillow’s wife told family members she was herded out of the area by the authorities amid the chaos of the shooting scene, Mr. Carson said. “That was probably the hardest part for her — having to leave him there,” he said.Mr. Von Tillow’s wife told family members she was herded out of the area by the authorities amid the chaos of the shooting scene, Mr. Carson said. “That was probably the hardest part for her — having to leave him there,” he said.
On Monday, friends and family gathered at the Cameron Park Country Club, where Mr. Von Tillow was a member. At his home, family members set up a memorial with an American flag, and played the national anthem.On Monday, friends and family gathered at the Cameron Park Country Club, where Mr. Von Tillow was a member. At his home, family members set up a memorial with an American flag, and played the national anthem.
“Guarantee you, he’s covered in red, white and blue right now, with a Coors Light in his hand, smiling with his family and listening to some music,” Mr. Carson told the television station.“Guarantee you, he’s covered in red, white and blue right now, with a Coors Light in his hand, smiling with his family and listening to some music,” Mr. Carson told the television station.
Thomas Day Jr., 54, was a contractor who worked in a branch of his father’s home-building business in Corona, Calif. He had traveled to Las Vegas to attend the concert with three of his grown children and a group of friends.Thomas Day Jr., 54, was a contractor who worked in a branch of his father’s home-building business in Corona, Calif. He had traveled to Las Vegas to attend the concert with three of his grown children and a group of friends.
His father, Thomas Day Sr., said he received a call from his grandson late on Sunday: The three adult children and the friends were in hiding, the grandson said, but Mr. Day had been shot in the head.His father, Thomas Day Sr., said he received a call from his grandson late on Sunday: The three adult children and the friends were in hiding, the grandson said, but Mr. Day had been shot in the head.
The elder Mr. Day, who lives in Las Vegas, said his son, who was divorced, was a “great dad” who often attended concerts with his children.The elder Mr. Day, who lives in Las Vegas, said his son, who was divorced, was a “great dad” who often attended concerts with his children.
He had not been able to see the body or bury his son. “They still have him,” he said.He had not been able to see the body or bury his son. “They still have him,” he said.
Adrian Murfitt, 35, had been working 16-hour days all summer as a commercial salmon fisherman in his home state of Alaska. It was time for a break.Adrian Murfitt, 35, had been working 16-hour days all summer as a commercial salmon fisherman in his home state of Alaska. It was time for a break.
He gathered up two of his childhood friends and booked tickets for a country music festival, just as he had done last year, according to his sister, Shannon Gothard.He gathered up two of his childhood friends and booked tickets for a country music festival, just as he had done last year, according to his sister, Shannon Gothard.
“He had such a great time when he went before, and he wanted to treat himself for a successful fishing season,” Ms. Gothard said from Anchorage.“He had such a great time when he went before, and he wanted to treat himself for a successful fishing season,” Ms. Gothard said from Anchorage.
Mr. Murfitt was an Alaskan to the core. Since he was a toddler, he loved playing hockey, she said; he could fix almost anything mechanical; he was devoted to his dog, Paxson, a Western Siberian Laika.Mr. Murfitt was an Alaskan to the core. Since he was a toddler, he loved playing hockey, she said; he could fix almost anything mechanical; he was devoted to his dog, Paxson, a Western Siberian Laika.
Ms. Gothard said the family had pieced together her brother’s last minutes from Brian MacKinnon, a friend who was with him at the concert on Sunday night. “He was just having a good time, enjoying himself and got shot in the neck,” she said of her brother. A woman standing next to Mr. Murfitt was shot in the head, Mr. MacKinnon told the family. He watched as medics tried to resuscitate Mr. Murfitt, though the medics told Mr. MacKinnon to leave the scene for his own safety.Ms. Gothard said the family had pieced together her brother’s last minutes from Brian MacKinnon, a friend who was with him at the concert on Sunday night. “He was just having a good time, enjoying himself and got shot in the neck,” she said of her brother. A woman standing next to Mr. Murfitt was shot in the head, Mr. MacKinnon told the family. He watched as medics tried to resuscitate Mr. Murfitt, though the medics told Mr. MacKinnon to leave the scene for his own safety.
“Sadly, he died in my arms,” Mr. MacKinnon wrote on Facebook. “I don’t really know what else to say at this time. I’m really sorry.”“Sadly, he died in my arms,” Mr. MacKinnon wrote on Facebook. “I don’t really know what else to say at this time. I’m really sorry.”
When Sonny Melton and his wife, Heather Gulish Melton, heard the sound of gunshots in Las Vegas on Sunday night, he grabbed her and began to run.When Sonny Melton and his wife, Heather Gulish Melton, heard the sound of gunshots in Las Vegas on Sunday night, he grabbed her and began to run.
“I felt him get shot in the back,” Ms. Gulish Melton told WCYB, a television station in northeast Tennessee. “I want everyone to know what a kindhearted, loving man he was, but at this point, I can barely breathe.”“I felt him get shot in the back,” Ms. Gulish Melton told WCYB, a television station in northeast Tennessee. “I want everyone to know what a kindhearted, loving man he was, but at this point, I can barely breathe.”
Mr. Melton, 29, was described in Facebook tributes as a kind spirit, a registered nurse who worked for much of 2016 in the surgical unit at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tenn.Mr. Melton, 29, was described in Facebook tributes as a kind spirit, a registered nurse who worked for much of 2016 in the surgical unit at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tenn.
“He was a very kind, compassionate, genuine person who lived life to the fullest, and he took great care of our patients,” said Amy Garner, a spokeswoman for the hospital. Union University, a college in Jackson, Tenn., said Mr. Melton was a 2015 graduate of the school and worked in the emergency department at Henry County Medical Center.“He was a very kind, compassionate, genuine person who lived life to the fullest, and he took great care of our patients,” said Amy Garner, a spokeswoman for the hospital. Union University, a college in Jackson, Tenn., said Mr. Melton was a 2015 graduate of the school and worked in the emergency department at Henry County Medical Center.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a White House spokeswoman, said Mr. Melton and his wife had been married only a year and had traveled from Tennessee for the music festival.Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a White House spokeswoman, said Mr. Melton and his wife had been married only a year and had traveled from Tennessee for the music festival.
“When the bullets began raining down from above, Sonny shielded her from danger, selflessly giving up his life to save hers,” Ms. Sanders said on Monday.“When the bullets began raining down from above, Sonny shielded her from danger, selflessly giving up his life to save hers,” Ms. Sanders said on Monday.
Susan Smith, 53, was a lover of country music, a devoted mother to a son and daughter, a wife and a popular office manager at an elementary school in Simi Valley, Calif.Susan Smith, 53, was a lover of country music, a devoted mother to a son and daughter, a wife and a popular office manager at an elementary school in Simi Valley, Calif.
“A wonderful person,” said her father, Tom Rementer, through tears.“A wonderful person,” said her father, Tom Rementer, through tears.
She had gone to Las Vegas with friends, where she was killed during the attack near the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, said Jake Smith, a spokeswoman for the district. Her friends survived the shooting.She had gone to Las Vegas with friends, where she was killed during the attack near the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, said Jake Smith, a spokeswoman for the district. Her friends survived the shooting.
Jordan McIldoon, 23, a mechanic from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, was among the dead, a family member said. His parents described him to CBC News in Canada as outdoorsy, about to begin trade school, and on the trip to Las Vegas with his girlfriend. They were expecting him to return home on Monday evening.Jordan McIldoon, 23, a mechanic from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, was among the dead, a family member said. His parents described him to CBC News in Canada as outdoorsy, about to begin trade school, and on the trip to Las Vegas with his girlfriend. They were expecting him to return home on Monday evening.
“We only had one child,” they told CBC News. “We just don’t know what to do.”“We only had one child,” they told CBC News. “We just don’t know what to do.”
Last year, Lisa Romero-Muniz’s husband, Chris, forgot their wedding anniversary. This year he was determined to make it up to her.Last year, Lisa Romero-Muniz’s husband, Chris, forgot their wedding anniversary. This year he was determined to make it up to her.
So he made a grand gesture, planning a four-day weekend in Las Vegas and buying tickets to see her favorite country singer, Jason Aldean. Mr. Muniz, who worked long hours at a refinery, and Ms. Romero-Muniz, a high school secretary in Gallup, N.M., left on Thursday for Las Vegas, more than a six-hour drive away.So he made a grand gesture, planning a four-day weekend in Las Vegas and buying tickets to see her favorite country singer, Jason Aldean. Mr. Muniz, who worked long hours at a refinery, and Ms. Romero-Muniz, a high school secretary in Gallup, N.M., left on Thursday for Las Vegas, more than a six-hour drive away.
“She was beyond excited,” said Rosie Fernandez, her friend and supervisor at the high school where they worked. “For her husband to remember her anniversary and do all of that, this was a big thing for her.”“She was beyond excited,” said Rosie Fernandez, her friend and supervisor at the high school where they worked. “For her husband to remember her anniversary and do all of that, this was a big thing for her.”
Ms. Romero-Muniz’s death, confirmed by officials at the school where she worked, left her colleagues and community shaken, her co-workers said.Ms. Romero-Muniz’s death, confirmed by officials at the school where she worked, left her colleagues and community shaken, her co-workers said.
Born and raised in the small city of Gallup, she was a mother of three grown children and a secretary at Miyamura High School, where she was responsible for disciplining students who got into trouble. Ms. Romero-Muniz had a warm personality and a big laugh, always teasing her co-workers, Ms. Fernandez said.Born and raised in the small city of Gallup, she was a mother of three grown children and a secretary at Miyamura High School, where she was responsible for disciplining students who got into trouble. Ms. Romero-Muniz had a warm personality and a big laugh, always teasing her co-workers, Ms. Fernandez said.
“We were known as the two loudmouths of the office,” Ms. Fernandez said. “She knew 90 percent of the kids at this school. She would talk to them like she was talking to her own children. I’d hear her saying, ‘I know you can do better than this.’ ”“We were known as the two loudmouths of the office,” Ms. Fernandez said. “She knew 90 percent of the kids at this school. She would talk to them like she was talking to her own children. I’d hear her saying, ‘I know you can do better than this.’ ”
On Monday morning, administrators put up posters around the school so that students could write on them how they were feeling. A candlelight memorial is planned for Monday evening.On Monday morning, administrators put up posters around the school so that students could write on them how they were feeling. A candlelight memorial is planned for Monday evening.
Another Canadian was among the dead. Jessica Klymchuk, 28, from the province of Alberta, had been visiting Las Vegas with her boyfriend, The Globe and Mail reported. She was a school librarian, a bus driver and the mother of four children.Another Canadian was among the dead. Jessica Klymchuk, 28, from the province of Alberta, had been visiting Las Vegas with her boyfriend, The Globe and Mail reported. She was a school librarian, a bus driver and the mother of four children.
An aunt of Quinton Robbins, 20, who worked as a recreation assistant for the city of Henderson, Nev., wrote on Facebook that her nephew was among the dead.An aunt of Quinton Robbins, 20, who worked as a recreation assistant for the city of Henderson, Nev., wrote on Facebook that her nephew was among the dead.
“I can’t say enough good about this sweet soul,” the aunt, Kilee Wells Sanders, wrote of Mr. Robbins. “Everyone who met him loved him. His contagious laugh and smile.”“I can’t say enough good about this sweet soul,” the aunt, Kilee Wells Sanders, wrote of Mr. Robbins. “Everyone who met him loved him. His contagious laugh and smile.”
She also asked for prayers for Mr. Robbins’ family, adding: “Please also respect their privacy as this is a devastating loss that is incredibly painful for the families.”She also asked for prayers for Mr. Robbins’ family, adding: “Please also respect their privacy as this is a devastating loss that is incredibly painful for the families.”
Rachael Parker, a police records technician from Manhattan Beach, Calif., was shot while attending Sunday’s concert in Las Vegas, and later died in the hospital, the Manhattan Beach Police Department confirmed in a statement on Monday.Rachael Parker, a police records technician from Manhattan Beach, Calif., was shot while attending Sunday’s concert in Las Vegas, and later died in the hospital, the Manhattan Beach Police Department confirmed in a statement on Monday.
Ms. Parker, who worked at the department for 10 years, was off duty when she was shot.Ms. Parker, who worked at the department for 10 years, was off duty when she was shot.
Over the course of a carefree weekend in Las Vegas, they kept bumping into one another around the festival: at least a half dozen teachers, principals and school psychologists who worked for the Manhattan Beach School District in Southern California, taking a brief escape from their responsibilities to listen to live music.Over the course of a carefree weekend in Las Vegas, they kept bumping into one another around the festival: at least a half dozen teachers, principals and school psychologists who worked for the Manhattan Beach School District in Southern California, taking a brief escape from their responsibilities to listen to live music.
The school district said on Monday that Sandy Casey, 35, a special-education teacher originally from Vermont, was killed in the shootings. The other staff members from the district were physically unharmed. The school district said on Monday that Sandy Casey, 35, a special-education teacher originally from Vermont, was killed in the shooting. The other staff members from the district were physically unharmed.
Ms. Casey taught middle school and had worked for the district for nine years, an energetic person who delighted in her students, said Mike Matthews, the superintendent.Ms. Casey taught middle school and had worked for the district for nine years, an energetic person who delighted in her students, said Mike Matthews, the superintendent.
“She was a person who brings light wherever she is,” he said. “She has a classroom full of light and hope and caring.”“She was a person who brings light wherever she is,” he said. “She has a classroom full of light and hope and caring.”
Ms. Casey’s fiancé, Chris Willemse, an instructional assistant for the district, was with Ms. Casey in Las Vegas. He wrote on Facebook: “As I sit and mourn such a beautiful life gone too fast, all I can say is look up and watch the birds fly high and free today, as that’s where I feel you smiling down upon all of us. I love you baby girl! Love you to pieces!”Ms. Casey’s fiancé, Chris Willemse, an instructional assistant for the district, was with Ms. Casey in Las Vegas. He wrote on Facebook: “As I sit and mourn such a beautiful life gone too fast, all I can say is look up and watch the birds fly high and free today, as that’s where I feel you smiling down upon all of us. I love you baby girl! Love you to pieces!”