Jason Aldean cancels shows to honor Las Vegas shooting victims

By Madelyn Reese Las Vegas Review-Journal

7 years ago

Festival grounds for Route 91 Harvest Festival rise in the background as Las Vegas police investigate after shots rained down on concertgoers on Sunday night. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

People visit a makeshift memorial for victims of the Route 91 Harvest Festival mass shooting located on Las Vegas Boulevard and Reno Avenue in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph mass shooting

Festivalgoers attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival were evacuated to the Thomas and Mack Arena early Monday morning, Oct. 2, 2017, following a shooting situation on the Las Vegas Strip. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

A Metro officer keeps watch at the scene along Las Vegas Boulevard outside Mandalay Bay on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, following the mass shooting at Route 91 Harvest country music festival in Las Vegas. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph mass shooting

The Route 91 Harvest Festival’s website and Facebook page were stripped down as of Wednesday morning. Both sites bore the same statement. (Route 91 Harvest Festival)

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.