LAS VEGAS — Country music star Jason Aldean was on stage when a gunman attacked the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas late Sunday night.
At least 50 concertgoers were killed and more than 200 were injured, according to authorities.
Aldean, who was the headliner on the final night of the festival, was able to take shelter. A representative for Aldean confirmed “he, his band and crew are all unharmed.”
The country music community expressed shock and disbelief at the shooting.
Jake Owen, who performed right before Aldean, tweeted that he witnessed “the most unimaginable event.”
Praying for everyone here in Vegas. I witnessed the most unimaginable event tonight. We are okay. Others arent. Please pray.
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) October 2, 2017
“Gun shots were ringing off of the stage rigging and road cases” by the stage, Owen wrote. “No one knew where to go..thank you LVPD and responders for keeping us safe.”
Gun shots were ringing off of the stage rigging and road cases. No one knew where to go..thank you LVPD and responders for keeping us safe
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) October 2, 2017
Brad Paisley, who performed at the festival last year, tweeted: “Praying for everyone at #HarvestFestival. There are no words right now that suffice.”
Praying for everyone at #HarvestFestival. There are no words right now that suffice.
— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) October 2, 2017
Martina McBride, who was also there last year, wrote that she was watching the news coverage of the shooting early Monday morning and “praying for everyone’s safety.”
Aldean’s wife Brittany, who was also at the festival, posted a similar message calling for prayers.
“We are safe… our angels were definitely watching over us tonight,” she wrote. “No words for what happened… Just horrific. Praying for everyone.”
Other music stars reacted to the shooting.
Wow.. Yall join me in praying for Vegas rn
— Scotty McCreery (@ScottyMcCreery) October 2, 2017
Hearts out to Vegas. Route 91 concert, stage I played two nights ago. Musicians, fans, workers, you are all in our prayers right now..
— Lee Brice (@leebrice) October 2, 2017
Prayers to everyone at @Route91Harvest in Las Vegas. We are ok, had literally just left for the airport. 🙏🏼 What is wrong with this world!!
— Dylan Scott (@DylanScottCntry) October 2, 2017
Everyone in the B&R camp is ok thoughts and prayers to everyone in vegas at #Route91
— Big & Rich (@bigandrich) October 2, 2017
Active shooter at @Route91Harvest in Vegas. We're safe. Love you guys.
— Luke Combs 🎤 (@lukecombs) October 2, 2017
Watching this horrific news from Las Vegas and Route 91 Festival. We played this festival last year. Praying for everyone's safety.
— Martina McBride (@martinamcbride) October 2, 2017
My God I can't even believe what I'm watching at Route 91
— Jackie (@JackieLeeMusic) October 2, 2017
The Route 91 Harvest Festival is hosted by the events company LiveNation. It has been held each year since 2014.
The festival had multiple stages at Las Vegas Village, an open-air setting that is diagonally across the street from the Mandalay Bay hotel complex. The shooter reportedly fired from a high floor in the hotel.
Singer Kane Brown, who performed at the festival earlier in the day, wrote on Twitter immediately after the shooting, “This world is sick.”
Aldean’s performance at the festival came toward the end of a months-long tour.
