In what has been called an “…act of pure evil,” by President Donald Trump, 55+ people are dead and 500+ people have been injured in the largest mass shooting in American history. During the closing performance by Jason Aldean last night in Las Vegas at the Route 91 country musical, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock opened fire on the crowd from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay.
Many student athletes from SUU are from Las Vegas, and have responded to the tragedy in their hometown on Twitter.
Football:
SUU class of ‘16 alumni Miles Killebrew, defensive back for the Detroit Lions, tweeted his support early Monday morning. Killebrew attended Foothill High School in Las Vegas. LeShaun Sims, defensive back for the Tennessee Titans and SUU alumni class of ‘15, retweeted Killebrew. Sims attended Andre Agassi Prep High School in Las Vegas.
https://twitter.com/MilesKillebrew/status/914831156444647425
Josh Thornton, practice squad defensive back for Baltimore Ravens and SUU alumni class of ‘17, is from Florida but also sent out his support to Vegas.
https://twitter.com/JayRoss_2/status/914838384463564800
https://twitter.com/JayRoss_2/status/914839459396452352
https://twitter.com/JayRoss_2/status/914913316287414273
Freshman defensive lineman Bishop Jones (Arbor View High School).
https://twitter.com/BTenTruths_/status/914738799980167168
Other Las Vegas football players include junior linebacker Kyle Anderson (Silverado High School), junior linebacker Tyler Penkaski (Bonanza High School), sophomore safety Alex Sims (Arbor View HS), freshman cornerback Mike Sims (Arbor View HS), freshman cornerback Zeivaun Ned (Andre Agassi College Prep Academy) and freshman cornerback Antwaun Rainey (Cimarron-Memorial High School).
Men’s Basketball
Only one member of the men’s basketball team is from Las Vegas. Junior gaurd Matthew Jonson, who attended Coronado High School, has not made a comment on Twitter.
Head Coach Todd Simon tweeted about donating blood and in support of the victims.
Beyond heart broken this morning. Thoughts & prayers are with those affected in Vegas. God bless the responders, law enforcement & doctors pic.twitter.com/qfPiY0lk2e
— Todd Simon (@CoachTsimon) October 2, 2017
Men’s Cross Country & Track and Field
None of the members of the men’s cross country and track and field teams have tweeted. The teams include freshman distance runner Bryan Espino (Odyssey Charter High School), junior distance runner George Espino (Centennial High School), senior jumps Nico Fonzi (Centennial High School), sophomore sprints Braden Harley (Centennial High School), freshman sprints Tre James (Las Vegas High School), junior jumps Michael Lankford (Centennial High School), junior sprints Justin Lewis (Cimarron-Memorial High School) freshman sprints Novell Ried (Rancho High School).
Men’s Golf
Junior Bradley Collet from Palo Verde High School did not make a comment on Twitter.
Women’s Soccer
Sophomore defender Taylor Thompson from American Fork High School has not posted on Twitter.
Softball
Freshman utility Skyler Ball (Centennial HS).
I’m in absolute shock. I love this city with all my heart. everyone in vegas stay strong.. praying for you all❤️ #vegasstrong
— skyler ball (@BallSkyler) October 2, 2017
I dont care what anyone says, vegas is still the greatest city..
— skyler ball (@BallSkyler) October 2, 2017
Skyler also re-tweeted former President Barack Obama and Las Vegas native Nationals player Bryce Harper’s tweets about the shooting.
Freshman catcher Makenzie Ball (Centennial High School).
i woke up in shock.. praying for my city and all of those affected by tonight’s tragedy. i’m at a loss for words rn❤️ #vegasstrong
— makenzie ball (@makenzieball) October 2, 2017
i love my home more than anything. i’m still in shock.
— makenzie ball (@makenzieball) October 2, 2017
Makenzie re-tweeted the same Obama and Harper tweets as Skyler and also re-tweeted Skyler.
Senior outfield Sarah Murphy attended Cimarron-Memorial High School, and tweeted her disbelief in the events. Murphy also re-tweeted Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s tweets abut giving blood and a photo of a long line at a United Blood Services donation center.
Freshman infield/pitcher Kalei Watkins from Sierra Vista High School did not make a comment.
Women’s Track & Field
Members of the women’s track and field did not make comments. Team members from Las Vegas include freshman sprints Peyton Green (Centennial High School), freshman sprints Erica Hansard (Centennial High School) and sophomore sprints Mia Russell (Cimarron-Memorial High School).
Story By
Haleigh Clemens
sports@suunews.com
