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15:15, 03-Oct-2017
Chinese witness describes aftermath of Las Vegas shooting
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For Yang Shu, the night of October 1 on the Las Vegas Strip was her worst nightmare coming to life.
The Beijing-based newspaper editor, who is spending a week-long holiday in Nevada on her first trip to the US, had just finished watching “The Cirque du Soleil: O” at Bellagio at 11 p.m. when she witnessed a chaotic scene.
She was on her way to the hotel but suddenly saw people running to the theater she had just left.
“They looked nervous so I kept asking ‘what had happened’ to people around me but no one replied,” Yang told CGTN.
A condolence message is displayed ona signage from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. /AFP Photo
A condolence message is displayed ona signage from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. /AFP Photo
Standing in front of a shopping mall, Yang heard louder noise as more police cars rushed out of the theater, passing an alarmed crowd.
“Something bad must have happened,” one pedestrian murmured.
Unfortunately, their guess was right.
A gunman had opened fire at an open-air music festival near the Strip at 10:08 p.m., leaving at least 59 dead and another 527 injured according to the latest casualty toll.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the country’s history.
No Chinese nationals were hurt in the attack.
Yang and other people who were trying to flee the shopping mall were guided by police officers to the lobby of a nearby casino for shelter.
“I heard three gunshots when I was running, but I didn’t have time to panic,” Yang recalled.
A stream of people followed police instructions and gathered in the lobby. Officers told Yang and others to go through a fire exit to a street behind the hotel with their hands up.
Mourners light candles for the victims of Sunday night's mass shooting, on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. /AFP Photo
Mourners light candles for the victims of Sunday night's mass shooting, on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. /AFP Photo
Yang spent the night in a hotel different than the one she had booked a room in as hers was too close to the shooting scene.
“I felt touched and moved when I received messages inquiring about my safety from my relatives and friends,” Yang said.
“And I also felt thankful for an American couple who helped me jump over the metal fence when I was trying to escape,” she continued.
“I feel grateful I am fine and I feel sorry for the victims’ families,” Yang noted.
“The incident made me feel love and care that is often invisible to the eye under the extravagant appearance of Las Vegas,” she added.
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