Jason Aldean cancels shows to honor Las Vegas shooting victims
Country musician Jason Aldean has canceled shows in Southern California this weekend in the aftermath of Sunday’s shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival.
“I feel like out of respect for the victims, their families and our fans, it is the right thing to do,” Aldean said in a statement posted to his social media accounts Tuesday.
Aldean was performing on stage when Stephen Paddock opened fire on festivalgoers, killing 58 people and injuring 527 others. The singer fled the stage.
“It has been an emotional time for everyone involved this week, so we plan to take some time to mourn the ones we have lost and be close with our family and friends,” Aldean wrote.
Refunds are available for canceled shows in Los Angeles (Oct. 6), San Diego (Oct. 7) and Anaheim (Oct. 8). The tour is scheduled to resume on Oct. 12 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The Route 91 Festival also posted a statement to its website and Facebook account late Tuesday.
“On behalf of the entire Route 91 Harvest Family, we are completely devastated by the event that occurred last night. Our deepest sympathies go out to the injured and the deceased and their loved ones. Senseless violence has claimed the souls of our fans and we have little in the way of answers. Our eternal gratitude goes out to the LVMPD, Emergency services, security guards, and fans for their selfless acts of bravery while trying to help those in need.”
Route 91’s website and Facebook were completely stripped of content except for a picture of an orange ribbon and the above statement.
Aldean was the closing performer for three-day Route 91 festival Sunday evening. He was preceded by six other acts: Jake Owen, Big & Rich, Kane Brown, Josh Abbott, Dee Jay Silver and Dylan Scott.
Scott was scheduled to perform at a a benefit concert in Ohio Tuesday for a local breast cancer support group. Scott and the venue worked quickly to dedicate a portion of ticket sales, 10 percent of food sales and all bowling sales from the venue to shooting victims and their families, according to the venue’s Facebook page.
Contact Madelyn Reese at mreese@viewnews.com or 702-383-0497. Follow @MadelynGReese on Twitter.
