1 October Sunrise Remembrance Ceremony honors shooting victims, impacted families

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Dozens gathered around the Clark County amphitheater as officials and families of victims were honored in a remembrance ceremony Tuesday morning.

58 lives were lost, two more taken during recovery and hundreds were injured at the Route 91 Music Festival.

It’s been seven years since the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival Shooting, but for those like Micheal Duarte who lost his sister Christian Duarte, he remembers that fateful night like it was yesterday.

“October 1st nowadays, we come together with grief, loss, brokenness and begin to heal like it all happened all over again. Grief is all the love we cannot give, it’s heavy, it gathers in the corner of our eyes, lumps in our throats and the feeling of hopelessness in our chest,” Duarte said. “She lit up the room with her selfless heart and beautiful smile. She cared more about a stranger’s feelings than she did for herself. She was my best friend and she has two beautiful nieces that unfortunately never got to hold her or hug her but she’s our angel watching over them.”

Sheriff Kevin McMahill called it a night first responders won’t ever forget.

“I can tell you why so many first responders are haunted by 1 October. It’s because we could not help everyone that night. 58 people died. So many people were injured physically and emotionally and that’s extremely painful for us to live with,” Sherriff McMahill said. “As you know we lost one of our own, Officer Charleston Hartfield who was at the concert with his wife having a great time. He died while trying to get people to safety. As a small gesture to ensure his family we will never forget him, just last week we renamed the briefing room in the southeast area command in his honor.”

LVMPD Chaplain Dean Sanner providing a prayer of peace for those dealing with this immense loss.

“We’re grateful for our community leaders who continue to provide sources of healing for those who need help, may you guide them as they strive to turn tragedy into triumph for all of us,” Sanner said. “Help us to be unified as we move forward, give us your peace. That peace that passes all understanding to guard us and to make us Vegas strong today. We ask this in your name. Amen.”

Duarte recalls the resiliency of survivors and first responders, the hope and healing moving forward and the community coming together in the midst of a terrible tragedy.

“I love you all, you’re all close to my heart,” Duarte added.

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