Las Vegas Shooting: Country Artists React to Route 91 Festival
At least 50 people were killed and more than 400 injured in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history on Sunday night, as a shooter opened fire on country music fans assembled outside the Mandalay Bay hotel and casino for the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas.
Night Three headliner Jason Aldean was onstage for his set when the violence began and fled the stage to find safety. He later confirmed that he and his crew were unharmed. “Tonight has been beyond horrific,” he wrote on Instagram.
The incident has already surpassed the 2016 shooting in Orlando, where 49 people were killed in the gay club Pulse, and has echoes of the 2015 concert shooting in Paris at the Bataclan while the Eagles of Death Metal played.
Several performers, including Chris Young and Jake Owen were on the ground in Las Vegas when the shooting took place and tweeted about their experience. Their country peers also reached out with words of shock and condolences.
Jason Aldean:
Jake Owen:
Gun shots!!! Vegas. Pray to god. Love you guys. Love you Pearl.
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) October 2, 2017
Praying for everyone here in Vegas. I witnessed the most unimaginable event tonight. We are okay. Others arent. Please pray.
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) 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
Chris Young:
Spent I don’t know how long on the floor of a trailer behind the stage… know multiple people are dead. Listening to that gunfire…
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) October 2, 2017
I’m literally shaking still.
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) October 2, 2017
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
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) October 2, 2017
Lauren Alaina:
I won’t be sleeping tonight. Instead I am going to pray and pray and pray for the people in Vegas. ??
— Lauren Alaina (@Lauren_Alaina) October 2, 2017
Luke Combs:
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 (@LukeCombsMusic) October 2, 2017
?my heart. @Route91Harvest.
— Miranda Lambert (@mirandalambert) October 2, 2017
Dustin Lynch:
Praying for all those at @Route91Harvest
— Dustin Lynch (@dustinlynch) October 2, 2017
Kacey Musgraves:
— K A C E Y (@KaceyMusgraves) October 2, 2017
Thomas Rhett:
— Thomas Rhett (@ThomasRhett) October 2, 2017
Maren Morris:
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
Dan + Shay:
Feeling absolutely helpless watching the Vegas situation unfold via social media. Fans, friends, artists, crews, everybody, please be safe. This is so scary.
— Dan + Shay (@DanAndShay) October 2, 2017
Kelsea Ballerini:
Just sad. And so sorry for the fans who came to sing and dance and be free and happy. thinking of everyone there & my friend @Jason_Aldean.
— Kelsea Ballerini (@KelseaBallerini) October 2, 2017
Lee Brice:
Hearts out to Vegas. Route 91 concert, stage I played two nights ago. Musicians, fans, workers, you are all in our prayers right now..
— Lee Brice (@leebrice) October 2, 2017
Randy Houser:
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
Country Music Association:
Carrie Underwood:
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
Reba McEntire:
My heart goes out to all of our friends, jasonaldean, our music family and fans in Las Vegas.… https://t.co/Q1iInOWG8Q
— Reba (@reba) October 2, 2017
Dylan Scott:
Prayers to everyone at @Route91Harvest in Las Vegas. We are ok, had literally just left for the airport. ?? What is wrong with this world!!
— Dylan Scott (@DylanScottCntry) October 2, 2017
Keith Urban:
Stilled and speechless… Our hearts and prayers are with everyone involved and affected. – KU
— Keith Urban (@KeithUrban) October 2, 2017
Luke Bryan:
Words can’t begin explain my sadness. My family and I are praying for the victims of this tragedy. Truly heartbroken.
— Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) October 2, 2017
Lady Antebellum:
We are devastated by the news from Las Vegas this morning. Our hearts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy. Our fans are our family – we love you all. pic.twitter.com/k0CiL1THlu
— Lady Antebellum (@ladyantebellum) October 2, 2017
Blake Shelton:
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
Brothers Osborne:
To those that attended Route 91 Harvest Festival. @Route91Harvest pic.twitter.com/t60bnQ6lsw
— Brothers Osborne (@brothersosborne) October 2, 2017
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill:
Dierks Bentley:
https://t.co/8MRvbINsOT pic.twitter.com/EadG0qxl3r
— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) October 2, 2017