Parents mourn loss of only son to Las Vegas massacre
The parents of a B.C. man killed during Sunday’s horrific mass shooting in Las Vegas released an emotional statement Tuesday describing the agony of losing their only child.
Jordan McIldoon, 23, of Maple Ridge, was among 59 people confirmed killed in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, during which a 64-year-old man opened fire on more than 20,000 attendees and staff at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival.
More than 500 people were injured when retiree Stephen Paddock fired rapidly down upon the crowd from two windows in his 32nd-floor hotel suite at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
Three other Canadians, all from Alberta — Jessica Klymchuk, 34, of Valleyview, Calla Medig, 28, of Jasper and Tara Roe, 34, of Okotoks — were killed during the massacre.
McIldoon’s parents Angela and Alan provided an emailed statement to media Tuesday describing their late son as a fearless and “compassionate young man who lived a life full of adventures.”
They said he grew up on the family’s acreage in Maple Ridge. He enjoyed playing hockey and snowboarding, as well as BMX and downhill mountain biking. He drove a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and enjoyed NASCAR and country music. He “was rarely seen out of his cowboy boots,” the family said.
Jordan McIldoon was on track to complete his heavy-duty mechanic apprenticeship in one month and loved working for Jacob Bros. Construction, the McIldoons said.
They said their son was living on the family’s property with his girlfriend Amber Bereza, who was with him at the concert Sunday.
“Jordan did his best to make sure Amber was safe and we know he would have helped others had he not been injured himself,” they said.
“We choose to focus on love over hatred and are moving forward knowing that Jordan was so incredibly loved by many. His was a life well lived. He was our only child and no words can describe our pain in losing him.”
In the time since their son’s death, the McIldoons said they have found support from complete strangers and help from Canadian consular staff.
During their flight to Las Vegas, Air Canada crews upgraded the McIldoons to first class and escorted them to a limousine that the airline had booked to take them to a police station, they said.
At a family meeting place in Las Vegas, the McIldoons were also met with support from counsellors, volunteers, assistance dogs, the coroner, police, chaplains and Red Cross, the family said. The
MGM Signature Hotel gave them a complimentary suite.
The McIldoons said Sgt. Mitch Fox of Ridge Meadows RCMP “has been a huge help” in ensuring other families and their home in Maple Ridge are safe. The detachment confirmed Wednesday that Fox had been in contact with the McIldoons.
And the McIldoons thanked those who stayed with Jordan and held his hand, as well as the
first responders who rushed into the chaos.
Las Vegas bartender Heather Gooze told media outlets that she was with McIldoon and held his hand as he slipped away.
Claims have emerged on social media that Gooze’s statements are false, however the McIldoons pleaded for media not to delve into the debate and “take away from all the goodness and love in this story.”
“Both Heather and Amber were there with him at points in the night and it really does not matter who was there at what time,” they said. “It was bedlam and chaotic. Let’s focus on what we do know, he was killed there and now we are working on getting our boy home.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family as they mourn and prepare for their son’s funeral.