Nashville to Host Candlelight Vigil for Las Vegas Shooting Victims Tonight
The Country Music Association (CMA) is honoring victims of the mass shooting attack at a Las Vegas country music festival with a candlelight vigil on Monday night (Oct. 2).
The CMA have partnered with Nashville mayor Megan Barry and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. More details are forthcoming. CMA took to Twitter to share the news that the vigil will be hosted at Ascend Ampitheater at 6PM CT Monday evening. Free parking will be offered at Nissan Stadium's Lot R.
"Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the tragic event in Las Vegas, especially the victims, their families and friends, and the fans, artists and crews from our Country community in Vegas," a press release reads. "This festival brought together people from all backgrounds united in enjoying life through music."
Photos From Route 91 Harvest Festival Show Humanity in the Chaos
The vigil is an immediate response to the deadly gun attack during Jason Aldean's headlining set Route 91 Harvest Festival on Sunday night (Oct. 1). More than 58 people watching the show at the Las Vegas Village were killed, and hundreds more injured when shooter Stephen Paddock opened fire from a Mandalay Bay hotel room. Aldean was performing "When She Says Baby" and rushed off the stage when he learned what was happening in the crowd before him.
“Tonight has been beyond horrific. I still don’t know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that Me and my Crew are safe,” Aldean responded in an Instagram post immediately following the tragedy. “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."
Jake Owen and Chris Young were also present as the horrifying event unfolded. It's being called the deadliest mass shooting American history. Young sought refuge in a trailer backstage, but could hear the bullets raining down. “I’m not gonna say anything else other than I’m lucky to be alive. As are many others … and so many people are gone … this is heartbreaking," he wrote in an overnight tweet.
Aldean, Owen, Young and all the other country stars and their crew members at the festival are safe and unharmed.
Checking in With All Route 91 Harvest Fest Sunday Performers