boracayjohnny
10-05-2017, 1:23pm
Here are two names people should also know from Vegas.
Jonathan Smith
John Zerquera-Jimenez
Hero who saved 30 people reunited with officer who saved him - (http://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/national/hero-who-saved-30-people-reunited-with-officer-who-saved-him/826772181)
LAS VEGAS (CNN) - One of the heroes of Sunday's massacre in Las Vegas was reunited on CNN with the off-duty officer who saved his life after he took at least two bullets while rescuing the injured and dying from the scene.
In an often emotional interview, concertgoer Jonathan Smith recounted the aftermath of the horrific attack in which 58 people lost their lives in the mass shooting.
It was his heroism that prevented the death toll from rising even further -- Smith is credited with saving at least 30 people from the scene, although he downplays his actions.
"Everyone's been using that word -- 'hero.' I've been saying it since the whole time I got home -- I'm not a hero, I'm far from a hero. I think I just did what anybody would do," he said.
"Was it smart? Probably not. But if someone else (was) in the shoes, and they see me, I would want them to come back and at least help me."
In the process of saving those lives, Smith took at least two bullets, one in the arm and another in his neck. That one is still in there, doctors reluctant to remove it in case they cause any further damage. The injuries mean Smith is in "constant pain," he said.
He was dragged to safety by off-duty police officer Tom McGrath, who had to put his own fingers in Smith's bullet wound to stanch the bleeding.
My 'brother ... never left my side'
Saying that he considers the cop his "brother," Smith explained the debt that he owed to McGrath.
"I owe that man my life because from the moment I got hit, he was the first one to actually help me stop the bleeding," Smith said.
He remembers telling McGrath that he didn't want to die, but the officer had reassured him that he would be OK.
"He never left my side at all."
After recounting the horrific events that occurred in the moments immediately after Stephen Paddock opened fire on the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival to Burnett, the host introduced McGrath, who joined the interview by phone.
As Smith wiped tears from his eyes, McGrath said that Smith had exhibited "tremendous bravery."
"He's somebody who inspires me. I know he might not want to give himself all the credit, but he definitely did a wonderful job, and I was just happy to be there to help him towards the end, and get him out of there when he was hit."
The two men had communicated earlier by phone, and had shared the traumatic experiences that they had endured together. But they also recognized the spirit of togetherness that the traumatic event had brought about.
"Through this tragedy I remember, nobody suffered alone. When people were dying there was somebody there who was holding their hands or holding them in their arms, comforting them," McGrath said.
"When people had injuries, no matter how severe it was, (people were) trying to get them to safety, nobody suffered alone and I think that's the takeaway from the whole entire situation."
Local cab driver hailed as hero on night of the shooting - Story (http://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/local-cab-driver-hailed-as-hero-on-night-of-the-shooting/826376268)
LAS VEGAS - A local cab driver being called a hero for his actions on the night of the shooting.
A father's frantic plea to a complete stranger, drive towards the danger. Cab driver John Zerquera-Jimenez stepped on the gas, on board with the mission to help find a man's daughter who was Ashley Movil. 11 agonizing minutes later, the pair find Ashley plus 5 other girls also trying to escape.
Jimenez says, "I say to the other girls, you want to stay alive, you jump in the car, jump in the car." They pile on top of each other in the backseat. 8 News Now learned the fearless driver transported another 5 people to safety that night. Jimenez read a text from Ashley saying, "thank you so much for being so brave to come toward the shooting to rescue us. you are a hero.
Jimenez says he just did the right thing saying, "I feel in peace and glad for 11 people that still alive but i'm so sad for the other 59 people die, the other 59 families that lose their loved ones."
Jonathan Smith
John Zerquera-Jimenez
Hero who saved 30 people reunited with officer who saved him - (http://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/national/hero-who-saved-30-people-reunited-with-officer-who-saved-him/826772181)
LAS VEGAS (CNN) - One of the heroes of Sunday's massacre in Las Vegas was reunited on CNN with the off-duty officer who saved his life after he took at least two bullets while rescuing the injured and dying from the scene.
In an often emotional interview, concertgoer Jonathan Smith recounted the aftermath of the horrific attack in which 58 people lost their lives in the mass shooting.
It was his heroism that prevented the death toll from rising even further -- Smith is credited with saving at least 30 people from the scene, although he downplays his actions.
"Everyone's been using that word -- 'hero.' I've been saying it since the whole time I got home -- I'm not a hero, I'm far from a hero. I think I just did what anybody would do," he said.
"Was it smart? Probably not. But if someone else (was) in the shoes, and they see me, I would want them to come back and at least help me."
In the process of saving those lives, Smith took at least two bullets, one in the arm and another in his neck. That one is still in there, doctors reluctant to remove it in case they cause any further damage. The injuries mean Smith is in "constant pain," he said.
He was dragged to safety by off-duty police officer Tom McGrath, who had to put his own fingers in Smith's bullet wound to stanch the bleeding.
My 'brother ... never left my side'
Saying that he considers the cop his "brother," Smith explained the debt that he owed to McGrath.
"I owe that man my life because from the moment I got hit, he was the first one to actually help me stop the bleeding," Smith said.
He remembers telling McGrath that he didn't want to die, but the officer had reassured him that he would be OK.
"He never left my side at all."
After recounting the horrific events that occurred in the moments immediately after Stephen Paddock opened fire on the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival to Burnett, the host introduced McGrath, who joined the interview by phone.
As Smith wiped tears from his eyes, McGrath said that Smith had exhibited "tremendous bravery."
"He's somebody who inspires me. I know he might not want to give himself all the credit, but he definitely did a wonderful job, and I was just happy to be there to help him towards the end, and get him out of there when he was hit."
The two men had communicated earlier by phone, and had shared the traumatic experiences that they had endured together. But they also recognized the spirit of togetherness that the traumatic event had brought about.
"Through this tragedy I remember, nobody suffered alone. When people were dying there was somebody there who was holding their hands or holding them in their arms, comforting them," McGrath said.
"When people had injuries, no matter how severe it was, (people were) trying to get them to safety, nobody suffered alone and I think that's the takeaway from the whole entire situation."
Local cab driver hailed as hero on night of the shooting - Story (http://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/local-cab-driver-hailed-as-hero-on-night-of-the-shooting/826376268)
LAS VEGAS - A local cab driver being called a hero for his actions on the night of the shooting.
A father's frantic plea to a complete stranger, drive towards the danger. Cab driver John Zerquera-Jimenez stepped on the gas, on board with the mission to help find a man's daughter who was Ashley Movil. 11 agonizing minutes later, the pair find Ashley plus 5 other girls also trying to escape.
Jimenez says, "I say to the other girls, you want to stay alive, you jump in the car, jump in the car." They pile on top of each other in the backseat. 8 News Now learned the fearless driver transported another 5 people to safety that night. Jimenez read a text from Ashley saying, "thank you so much for being so brave to come toward the shooting to rescue us. you are a hero.
Jimenez says he just did the right thing saying, "I feel in peace and glad for 11 people that still alive but i'm so sad for the other 59 people die, the other 59 families that lose their loved ones."