Metro Detroit residents share their stories of Las Vegas mass shooting

At least 58 killed, more than 500 hurt in Las Vegas

DETROIT – Metro Detroit residents who were in Las Vegas during the mass shooting, including one person who was at the Jason Aldean concert as shots were fired, shared their stories with Local 4.

Imagine being at the concert and feeling trapped by security fences, or being inside a nearby hotel that was locked down, where visitors were told to be quiet.

People didn't know what was going on, or if there were other shooters. People in the street had no idea where to run.

Las Vegas is viewed as an easy place to visit for celebrations of any kind.

Angel Hobson, from Detroit, went to Vegas to celebrate her 21st birthday. She said she's in shock.

"We actually saw people running, so we were just, like, 'Oh my goodness, what's happening?'" Hobson said. "We thought it was just, like, 'Oh, Vegas. Crazy things happen.' But as we got on the plane, they were, like, 'No, we have to hold the plane back. We have to get off the plane.'"

Some of the  Las Vegas venues can be seen from the airport, so shocked passengers watched from plane seats and terminals as the horrific aftermath of the shooting unfolded.

"It was just crazy," Hobson said. "Completely crazy."

Dan Lock, of Commerce Township, was 20 yards away from the stage when the shooting started. He said he thought he was hearing firecrackers at first, but then he heard screams and saw people falling to the ground around him.

"It sounded like, you know, maybe 10 or 12 firecrackers," Lock said. "But it just didn't stop, and when it didn't stop, that's when we saw Jason Aldean get ushered off the stage and people started hitting the ground."

Joel Fresque, of Ontario, went to Las Vegas to celebrate his 40th birthday. It was his first trip to Vegas.

"I'm glad I made it back, because, you know, 50, what, 60 people didn't make it back," Fresque said.

As people who had escaped with their lives got off the planes at Detroit Metro Airport on Monday, many were visibly shaken by what had happened.


About the Authors:

Paula Tutman is an Emmy award-winning journalist who came to Local 4 in 1992. She's married and the stepmother of three beautiful and brilliant daughters. Her personal philosophy in life, love and community is, "Do as much as you can possibly do, not as little as you can possibly get away with".

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.