Local survivors reflect a year after Las Vegas shooting
Nearly one year ago the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history took place. On October 1, 2017, during the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas, 59 people lost their lives when a gunman when fired hundreds of shots into a crowd of 22,000 people.
Former Indio residents, Ann and Kevin Haerr, spoke with KESQ & CBS Local 2’s Lauren Coronado to look back at the tragedy.
“It was just beautiful and perfect weather and we were just enjoying it so much,” Ann said.
An enjoyable weekend took a turn for the worse during the final headlining performance.
“From the moment the shots started and how everybody was reacting to, you know, laying there hiding, hearing things, the shots and all that was happening, hearing people scream and run,” Ann recalled.
Kevin added, “We didn’t know whether someone was coming to where we were. We didn’t know whether we would go out to it (the shooter) if we left. And that feeling is a hard one to shake.”
It’s a feeling that still lives in those victims and has changed them forever.
“I really don’t venture out like I used to. I know it’s changed me a lot. Everywhere we go, I look for the exits, everywhere we go I’m aware of who’s around, that kind of thing, that everywhere you go is a different perception now,” Ann said.
Kevin adds, “Everyday we think about. Every day we’re aware of the people that were lost and injured severely.”
Following the shooting, the Haerrs say they have suffered through survivors guilt.
“How come these people got killed or maimed or whatever, and we didn’t,” Ann asks.
It’s a feeling Palm Desert resident, Hans Nicoll, can relate to.
“Why not me? Why was I spared,” said Nicoll.
He and his girlfriend were also at the concert that Sunday night.
“My girlfriend and I were very lucky to have made it out. We didn’t get injured and so many other people did,” Nicoll said.
He says he and his girlfriend were one of the first ones out of the venue acting quickly once they realized the reality of the situation.
“Shots were landing next to us. I had to pull her back and hide behind a food truck for a moment and it sounded like there was someone right there in the middle of the venue,” Hans said.
They were back in their car and driving away while gunshots were still being fired. The last shot was a self-inflicted gunshot wound ultimately killing the shooter.
Nicoll and his girlfriend are attending a Jason Aldean concert to commemorate that final headlining act when those shots rang out.
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