Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak gives a hug to Joe Robbins, father of shooting victim Quinton Robbins, speaks during a 1 October Sunrise Remembrance ceremony at the Clark County Government Center Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. Quinton Robbins, 20, of Henderson was one of the 58 people killed in the Oct. 1, 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas. Also on stage are Clark County Commission Chairwoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick and Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo.
Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 | 2 a.m.
Las Vegas on Friday will mark the fourth anniversary of the Oct. 1, 2017, tragedy the same way it did for other commemorations of the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history: somberly.
Remembrances will begin with a daybreak ceremony at the Clark County Government Center amphitheater and end at night at the Healing Garden, where a bell will toll and a candle lit as each of the 60 names of the fatal victims is read.
The mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest festival four years ago killed 58 and wounded hundreds of others, two of whom later died from their injuries. No clear motive for the massacre has been established, and authorities maintain one will likely never be determined.
As with previous occasions, loved ones of some of the victims and officials will gather at the Government Center’s amphitheater for a “Sunrise Remembrance” ceremony where speeches are given and tears and hugs shared. The event begins at 7 a.m. at 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, near Las Vegas Boulevard North and Bonneville Avenue.
The event will be streamed on Clark County’s social media channels.
An exhibit in the center’s first-floor rotunda highlights the victims with images and “Art of Healing Mural” that was created by local artists to commemorate the first anniversary of the massacre. The exhibit opened to the public this week and will remain in place until Oct. 7.
Viewing hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
“It’s important to honor the lives that were lost and those that have been changed forever as a result of 1 October,” Clark County Commission Chairman Marilyn Kirkpatrick said in a news release. “Many people live with the events of that day every day. It was a time of tremendous sadness as well as tremendous compassion and unity in our community.”
The Clark County Museum, 1830 S. Boulder Highway, has an exhibit of items left at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign and other locations in the aftermath of the shooting. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and admission cost is $2 for adults, $1 for children.
The Vegas Strong Resiliency Center is extending its hours this Friday (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) for anyone affected by the shooting and who needs to talk to someone. Although the center is closed to the public as a COVID-19 mitigation effort, people can call 702-455-2433 or email [email protected].
At 10:05 p.m. Friday, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and David Riggleman, the city’s communication director, will take turns reading the names of the victims from the Community Healing Garden in downtown, 1015 S. Casino Center Blvd. Those in Las Vegas who aren’t able to attend can watch on Channel 2, and the others can tune into kclv.tv/live and the city’s social media channels.
Here are some of the other events surrounding the fourth anniversary commemoration:
• Touted as a “perfect medicine for 1 October survivors,” Champagne Dreams Ranch will host “Horse Zen Fest: A Route 91 Equine Experience,” in which attendees will get to interact with horses from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. today at 5681 Rowland Ave. “The staff is committed to making you feel at home as you meet the horses, and to feel better than when you came,” organizers said.
• The So Cal Route 91 Heals organization is offering a virtual support meet-up from noon to 1 p.m. today. More information is available at giveanhour.org/route91.
• On Friday, the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation, Downtown Summerlin and Vitalant are hosting a memorial blood drive from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. outside City National Arena, 1550 S. Pavilion Center Drive. Players and other members of the organization will be on hand, and the team is giving away limited tickets to the night preseason game between the Golden Knights and the Los Angeles Kings. Appointments are required and can be made at donors.vitalant.org, by entering VGK as a sponsor code.
• Another memorial blood drive is happening from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday in University Medical Center’s Delta Point building, 901 Rancho Lane. Donors can register at donors.vitalant.org using the UMCLV sponsor code.
• At 10 p.m. the First Friday monthly festival in downtown Las Vegas “will go silent” to honor the shooting victims, broadcasting Goodman’s remarks from the reading-of-the-names ceremony at the Arts Square parking lot. Attendees will be given glow sticks and electric candles throughout the night.
Additional details, including information on other events, are available at vegasstrongrc.org/remembrance.
