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One year after Las Vegas shooting, survivors come together for vigil in Riverside

Published October 2, 2018 1:30 AM

It was an emotional evening at the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. Dozens of survivors of the Las Vegas mass shooting gathered together to commemorating an evening that’s changed them forever.

One year ago, at 10:01 p.m., a man opened fire on festival-goers from a Las Vegas hotel room, killing 58 and wounding hundreds.

Those in attendance lit candles while the 58 names were read aloud.

Gallery of the 58 victims of the Las Vegas shooting

“If I could do anything, I’d change all of this and bring everybody back,” Christy Hayhurst of Chino said.

Hayhurst is a survivor of the shooting, as a year passes since the tragedy, she says she struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Survivor’s Guilt, but it’s nights like this that help her heal.

“We understand each other. We can laugh one minute, cry the next minute and then were just happy that we’re here,” Hayhurst said.

Watch: Indio teacher injured in Las Vegas shooting reflects on tragedy

Survivors say they are a community that’s turned into family. Debbie Engel of Moreno Valley says they call themselves ‘Country Strong.’ The name comes from the country music festival where the shooting took place.

“We all have a bond and we’ve become family,” Engel said. “We try to live each day and make sure that our loved ones know that we love them because we’re not promised tomorrow.”

The vigil was hosted by the Riverside County District Attorney’s office, DA Mike Hestrin says he vows to stand with victims.

“Nothing that we do or say is going to make this go away for them. We’re not naive about that. Just a simple message to them knowing that they’re not alone and that we’ll stand up for them, no matter what it takes, no matter when it is, well stand up for them, and hold out a hand to them and remind them that we’re here,” Hestrin said.

Watch: Local survivors reflect a year after Las Vegas shooting

“October 1st will be something always embedded in our minds but we’ve decided, after today, we’re going to stop letting it define who we are and we’re going to move forward and not let evil win,” Hayhurst said.