On Sunday night in Vegas, the Route 91 Harvest country music festival taking place on the Las Vegas Strip was hit by an act of domestic terror that left more than 50 people dead and over 500 injured, the biggest mass shooting in U.S. history.
While fresh debate rages over issues of gun control after the gunman rained bullets from the 32nd floor of a nearby hotel room onto the 22,000-strong crowd below, a small group from the country’s south have wasted no time in establishing a fundraiser to help the many victims and their families in any way they can.
Having some to the aid of the country music community before, Billboard reports, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee created the Music Cares Fund on Monday October 2nd and is imploring fans of country music – and everyone else – to help.
“Country music is the heart of Music City,” says foundation president Ellen Lehman. “We are reaching out to country music fans who fell victim to this evil. They must know we care and care deeply. Our prayers are with them.”
Billboard notes that the National Compassion Fund Las Vegas is also directing 100% of its current donations to victims, and we’re sure many other charitable organisations will be doing everything they can to help those affected by the horrific attack, which occurred on the final night of the festival.
The death toll has risen to 59 at the latest count, and an attendee revealed to USA Today what the scene was like at the moment of the attack.
“I left my friends to go get more beer, then you heard a distinct ‘Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!,'” said Iowan man Justin Zimmerman. “(I) thought it was the sound guy messing up, but you learn quickly it’s actual gunfire.”
“I just stood there,” he adds. “I didn’t know what to do. Then I got on the ground. Every time it stopped, people would get up and start running. At this point, you have a mad rush of people running toward you.
“People hit the ground and jumped over things. It was a crowd of running people, you couldn’t see anything. I am just numb right now. It won’t hit me till I get home and see my family.”
You can donate to the newly-established Music Cares Fund here.
