Mandalay Bay in the Aftermath
of Horror
Horror came to a peaceful gathering of
approximately 22,000 individuals as the sky rained down bullets on them from
the 32nd floor of a very well-known casino in Las Vegas. Mandalay
Bay played host to a country music festival on October 1st 2017.
With a great lineup and tranquil weather patrons never would have thought the
sounds music would be eclipsed by sounds of automatic gun fire. Stephen Paddock
gained instant worldwide fame as he carried out his own personal holocaust. This
day would be indelibly written on the psyches of millions.
Unknown to those on Spirit flight 695
approaching McCarran Airport carnage was occurring less than a mile down the
road. My fellow passengers and I received our first inkling of the events
unfolding that evening when our cell phones finally caught signals on the
ground. Thankfully Spirit and their great staff kept us on the tarmac for 90
minutes as the first responders finalized it was safe to disembark the plane.
No one at the time knew how many shooters were participating in the slaughter.
Courage and bravery abounded everywhere sometimes from the most unlikely
sources.
Once the extent of the evil was known a
tide of emotion overwhelmed the faces of those you passed on the streets and
vestibules in hotels. An astounding quiet pervaded the areas immediately around
the death scene overshadowing the immense building in the background. First
responders may have saved thousands. Left to his own devices Stephen Paddock
would have continued his reign of terror to an nth point only God could
conceive. Fortunately those who moved on this beast did it quickly and effectively.
The death toll stands a 59 at this writing
with more than 500 injured. Makeshift memorials have been established
throughout the city. One of note, not far the death scene, displays a series of
white crosses inscribed with the names of each victim and statements of regret.
As we walked through this area a palpable sorrow and a state of mournfulness
was ever present amongst the observers paying their respects. Sadly the media finds
the killer more important than the victims.
Extensive investigations are now underway
to uncover the basis for this horror. Stephen Paddock was a misanthrope, no
doubt. Yet his extreme actions take a leap no rational mind could envision.
When the history of this event is finally penned let us pray no one tries to
outdo this maniac. May God rest the souls of these individuals and settle the
minds of those left behind.
Mark Davis MD
onandoffthehill.com
superbbookreviews.com
No comments:
Post a Comment