Speaking of Las Vegas

While we wait for the authorities to complete their investigation of the Las Vegas massacre, I want without further comment to compile a few of the stories documenting the humanity and heroism amid the horror. At the bottom I include President Trump’s statement at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department yesterday paying tribute to law enforcement officers who answered the call:

• Wesley Lowerey (Washington Post): “Two strangers bond over country music and beer. Then the gunshots started.”

• Jay Reeves and Don Babwin (AP): “Husband killed while protecting wife on their anniversary” (and other stories of those who died).

• Justin Glawe (Daily Beast): “Unarmed security guard took on Las Vegas killer Stephen Paddock” (the unarmed security guard is Jesus Campos).

• James Wilkinson and Ashley Collman (Daily Mail): “‘They’re shooting right at us’: Police release heart-pounding bodycam footage of the frantic search for Las Vegas gunman and their attempts to get people to safety as bullets fly over their heads.”

• Heather Long (Washington Post): “He was shot helping people during the Las Vegas shooting. His heroics helped his photo go viral” (on Jonathan Smith).

• Euan McCurdy and Erin Burnett (CNN): “Hero who saved 30 people reunited with officer who saved his own life” (more on Jonathan Smith).

• Donald Trump (White House): “Remarks by President Trump to Civilian Heroes and Law Enforcement Officials.”

I’m sure there are many more that I have missed and more that will become known in the coming days. These stories, however, offer “something like a star to stay our minds on and be staid.”

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