Indio teacher injured in Las Vegas shooting reflects on tragedy
On October 1, 2017, 58 people lost their lives at the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas. Over 800 people were injured in tragedy; one of those survivors is Alexis Arias, a teacher at Amistad High School in Indio.
Arias was shot in the thigh and the bullet traveled up her leg, fracturing her pelvic bone. She has recovered physically since then, but the mother of three still remembers what was racing through her mind moments after being shot.
“At first, of course, it was the fear of losing them and not getting to see them,” Arias said. “As soon as we had our chance and we started making our advances out, of course, l let that drive me to survive.”
She describes the chaotic scene, the echoing of gunshots, her cousin and husband on top of her desperately trying to shield her from the gunfire, but the bullet found its way.
“Within a few seconds, I was shot,” Arias recalled. “My husband was, I would say, on the bottom half of me. so his head was actually maybe just a few inches from where the bullet entered me.”
Arias remembers dozens of people coming to her aid.
“I had two shirts tied around my legs as a tourniquet, as well as a belt, and we still, to this day don’t know who those belong to,” Arias said.
She says she’s physically scarred but doesn’t face the same degree of emotional trauma others are haunted with.
“I wasn’t seeing people’s faces, I wasn’t catching every single moment or detail,” Arias said. “I wish I could take it from them and I don’t know why we were chosen these different paths.”
Arias credits the unwavering love from her family and a supportive team of co-workers for her strength and recovery.
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“I was given a second chance, not everyone was,” Arias said. “I have so much to be grateful for.”
Arias said she had a gathering with family and friends Sunday night at her Indio home. Today, she’s encouraging everyone to wear orange in remembrance of the tragedy.
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