On Monday morning, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at least 59 people were killed at a musical festival there in the deadliest shooting in U.S. history. The Daily Beast has compiled a list of stories about those victims, who ranged in age from 20 to 56.
All of them were victims in a tragic incident. Many of them died saving others, and had lived a selfless and giving kind of life from what little we know about them.
Here is a sampling of those stories:
Sonny Melton, 29
Sonny had just married his wife, Heather, last year. She explained to a local news station how he saved her life. While he grabbed her and they were running, she felt him get shot in the back. Heather survived, however. “I want everyone to know what a kind-hearted, loving man he was,” Heather said.
Their wedding website from TheKnot.com also attributed God to their relationship. “We were the couple that never should have met, fallen in love or had a future together….but life is funny and we believe God brought us together as soul mates. We have shared amazing times together and nearly unbearable heartaches but through it all we have grown stronger in our love for each other and our families. We thank God everyday for this relationship and the support and love of our families.”
Erick Silva, 22
One of the youngest victims, Erick was one of the security guards at the event. His boss, James Garrett, spoke well of him in a Facebook post, sharing how much he loved his job.
“When he wasnt helping me, he would always go where he was needed the most to help out in any way possible. He never complained about anything. I know that he loved being Security. I know that he was doing all that he could do to keep guest safe from harms way before his life was taken. To me he will always be Team CSC Las Vegas and a HERO in my eyes. Rest easy my friend,” the post read in part.
Charleston Hartfield, 34
Charleston had done much in his young life, as a Las Vegas police office, football coach, veteran from the U.S. army, and self-published author about his experiences. He was off-duty at the time of his death.
More details about Charleston are covered in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. His friend, Troy Rhett, shared the story about trying to contact Charleston during the shooting.
“I figured he was probably busy helping others,” Rhett said. “I don’t know a better man than Charles. They say it’s always the good ones we lose early. There’s no truer statement than that with Charles. … Our hearts have just been very heavy since hearing the news.”
Charleston has also been described by another friend, Stan King, as a “the most true-blue American guy.”
Those in service have also spoken well of him. He was described as “the epitome of a citizen-soldier” by Brigadier General William Burks, who noted he “lived to serve the public and protect his family.”
The Amazon page for his book also describes him as a man for others, as “a public servant from the early age of 18 who is committed to bridging the gap with no filters or shaded perceptions.”
Jordan McIldoon, 23
Jordan was one of the youngest victims, from British Columbia, who was about to start trade school. He died in the arms of Heather Goozle, who shared on Facebook.
Alina Andreea Diaconu, Jordan’s friend, shared on Facebook that he was “one of the kindest, funny, and most sincere guys.”
His girlfriend, Amber Bereza, was with him and was unharmed. Her brother credits Jordan with saving her life. “You’ll always be a hero jordan thank you for saving my sister you forever be in my heart,” her brother Cole wrote on Facebook.
Quinton Robbins, 20
Another one of the youngest victims, Quinton was with his girlfriend, Ally Plumlee. He had diabetes, and before realizing he had been shot, Ally thought he was having a health issue, according to the Desert News.
Quinton has been described as a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and spent every Sunday with his family. He also coached his younger brother’s flag football team.
Many of his relatives spoke well about Quinton on Facebook, including his aunt, Doreen Hawk-Wells. “He was an amazing young man who had a huge heart and would do anything for anyone. He overcame health issues and did not let them interfere with living his life to the fullest.”
Jessica Klymchuk, 28
Jessica was another Canadian who died. She had just recently become engage to fiancé Brent Irla, who was with her when she died.
She was a single mother who left behind four children, who attended the Catholic school where she worked, St. Stephen’s School, where she had been working for four years, according to CBC News.
Tina Moore, a former colleague of Jessica told the Edmonton Journal about her love for her children. “She did so much for her children, she went over and above for them.” She also described her as “pretty talented” and “wore lots of hats… Never complaining… always smiling.”
Her friend also described her relationship with her fiancé as “a match made in heaven.”
Michelle Vo, 32
Michelle was born in Vietnam, but immigrant with her mother and two sisters as a child. Although the music festival was her first concert, she was robbed of other opportunities to complete the American dream, such as having a family of her own, though she did bond with her eight year old niece.
She had be-friended Kody Robertson, who tried to save her from the gunfire at the music festival, but was ultimately unsuccessful.
Her brother-in-law, Paul Warren, said Michelle “would teach you new levels of kindness, and you would become a better person because of her, without even knowing it,” according to NBC Bay Area. Michelle lived in San Jose.
SFGate.com also has details on Michelle, from her sister Diane Hawkins. “She creates a rapport instantly,” she said. “She’s very bubbly and happy. Just fun. She’s very kind. She donated blood religiously every two weeks. Everything she did she did 150 percent.”
Many friends and relatives have started GoFundMe pages for their lost loved ones, which are doing well, with some already having exceeded goals.
Las Vegas, as well as other cities across the country, have already memorialized those lost, including going dark, as the Empire State Building has done.