As authorities search for a motive in the mass shooting that killed 59 and wounded more than 500 in Las Vegas on Sunday, stories continue to emerge of heroic men and women who put themselves in harm’s way to protect those around them. One of the most defining images to come from the melee was a photo taken by a Getty photographer of a young man laying on top of a woman who is obviously in distress. While it was initially unknown whether the woman was dead or alive, the Daily Mail has uncovered incredible new details about the photographer, the woman, and the selfless man who risked his life in order to save others.
The Daily Mail is reporting that the man in the photo is Matthew Cobos, a California-native who currently stationed in Hawaii as a cavalry scout with the United States Army. The now iconic photo, taken by Getty photographer David Becker, shows Cobos bravely shielding the woman’s body with his own. He apparently went so far as to cover her eyes, so she wouldn’t see the extent of the carnage around her.
(Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Becker shared that immediately after the photo was taken, Cobos miraculously guidied the unidentified woman to safety, but rather than seek cover himself, he soon returned to the open field to help more people. According to the Daily Mail, Cobos came to the aid of other victims by using his belt as tourniquet and plugging bullet holes with his fingers.
Cobos is now believed to be back with his family in California, and he is one of countless examples of heroism to come out of the massacre. From husbands laying down their lives for their wives and fathers protecting their children to virtual strangers placing the safety and needs of others ahead of their own, the heartbreaking yet inspiring stories prove that, even in the face of evil, good will always prevail.
(H/T: Daily Mail)