The Tragedy and Pride of Las Vegas

3 minute read

I visited Las Vegas earlier this year to try and photograph Spring Break, which coincided with St. Patrick’s Day. I found it enjoyable and was overwhelmed by the sense of joy that the town exhaled. Vegas felt warm and very alive to me.

Coming back on Oct. 2, the tone of the town had changed. Everything was still very raw. Fifty-eight people had been murdered less than 24 hours before and I felt it. From the airport onwards, every Uber driver I have traveled with had a story of who they picked up. One guy was driving passed the scene and had bullets rain down near his car. Other drivers were simply silent. Late on Oct. 4, I traveled in a taxi where the driver said nothing. He just listened to “A River Flows In You” by Robin Meloy Goldsby.” It was powerful and emotional music, perfect for mourning and keeping your thoughts to yourself.

From the Uber drivers to the hotel concierge to the people at the vigils, there has been a real sadness and a real sense of loss. People’s friends, partners, family members have died or been injured, physically and psychologically.

I have been staying at a hotel that overlooks the airport and the scene of the crime. It is attached to the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Every day, I look out of the window at the glorious Vegas sunrise and then see the park with all the chairs and camping equipment still out on the grass. It is very eerie. All those people’s belongings, most of which I imagine will never be reclaimed.

Over the last day or two, I have felt a surge in energy—something that I felt very strongly in Manchester, where I covered the terrorist attack in May. Vegas is a proud town. It isn’t that big in size, but just like Manchester I feel it is big in heart.

I’m overwhelmed by the strength of character people have shown. It is inspiring to see how they have rallied as a community—from kids to grandparents, cops to bartenders. Although this is such a tragedy, the only positive that comes from it is that the community and friendships in Vegas will become even stronger than they already are. Everyone has come together to support and help heal each other.

Matt Stuart is a street photographer represented by Magnum Photos and based in London. Follow him on Instagram @mattu1.

Michelle Molloy, who edited this photo essay, is a senior photo editor at TIME.

A street vigil held at Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue, October 2, 2017.  photograph by Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
Two women comfort one another at a street vigil, held for victims of the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, Las Vegas, Oct. 2, 2017. Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
A makeshift memorial for victims of the shooting, Las Vegas, Oct. 3, 2017.
A makeshift memorial for victims of the mass shooting, Las Vegas, Oct. 3, 2017.Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
Broken windows on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino where a gunman opened fire on a concert crowd , Oct. 4, 2017.
Broken windows on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino where a gunman opened fire on a concert crowd , Oct. 4, 2017.Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo briefs reporters on the ongoing investigation of Sunday night's mass shooting, at Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters, Oct. 3, 2017.
Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo briefs reporters on the ongoing investigation of the shooting, at Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters, Oct. 3, 2017.Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
A "no Weapons" sign on a door of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters.
A "no Weapons" sign on a door of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters.Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
Photographer's hotel room is reflected on to the window that he is shooting through, on the other side of the glass is the Mandalay Bay Hotel sign, Oct. 3, 2017.
Photographer's hotel room is reflected on to the window that he is shooting through, on the other side of the glass is the Mandalay Bay Hotel sign, Oct. 3, 2017.Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
View of the festival grounds showing scattered belongings and chairs, left behind at the site of the mass shooting, Oct. 3, 2017.
View of the festival grounds showing scattered belongings and chairs, left behind at the site of the mass shooting, Oct. 3, 2017. Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
President Trump arrives on Air Force One at McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas. Oct. 4, 2017. The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is seen on the right.
President Trump arrives on Air Force One at McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas. Oct. 4, 2017. The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is seen on the right.Matt Stuart—Magnum Photos for TIME
A prayer vigil held at Mountain Crest Park for the victims of Sunday night's shooting on October 3, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas Shooting
An emotional prayer vigil for the victims of the mass shooting on Oct. 3, 2017. Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
A prayer vigil held at Mountain Crest Park for the victims of Sunday night's shooting on October 3, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
A flag at half-staff in honor of the victims and survivors of the mass shooting, Las Vegas, Oct. 3, 2017.Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
A prayer vigil held at Mountain Crest Park for the victims of Sunday night's shooting on October 3, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIMEA prayer vigil held at Mountain Crest Park for the victims of Sunday night's shooting on October 3, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Garth Courtney/ Cindy Cusimano (back row)Connie Lane (Flag)/Celestial Olave and Maxine Jonson/Janetta Gray (Front row)Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
A prayer vigil held at Mountain Crest Park for the victims of the shooting, Oct.3, 2017.Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
Members of the media reporting near the Mandalay Bay Hotel and resort, Oct. 4, 2017.
Members of the media reporting on the mass shooting, near the Mandalay Bay Hotel and resort, Oct. 4, 2017.Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
Survivors of the mass shooting, Kelsey Clark eight-months pregnant poses for a portrait with her husband Toby Clark, Las Vegas, Oct. 3, 2017.
Survivors of the mass shooting, Kelsey Clark eight-months pregnant poses for a portrait with her husband Toby Clark, Las Vegas, Oct. 3, 2017. Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
Doris Huser with her children Cordelia and Aden, Las Vegas Oct. 4, 2017.
Doris Huser with her children Cordelia and Aden, survivors of the mass shooting, Las Vegas, Oct. 4, 2017.Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME
Makeshift memorial for the mass shooting victims, Oct. 5, 2017.
Makeshift memorial for the mass shooting victims, Oct. 5, 2017.Matt Stuart—Magnum for TIME

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