Husband gunned down as he saved wife
A HUSBAND who died saving his wife was among victims of the massacre.
Nurse Sonny Melton, 29, was shot as he shepherded Heather away from the gunfire.
Orthopaedic surgeon Mrs Melton, from Tennessee, said: ‘He grabbed me from behind and started running when I felt him get shot in the back.
‘At this point I’m in complete disbelief and despair. Sonny was the most kind-hearted, loving man I have ever met. He saved my life and lost his. I can barely breathe.’
Colleagues of Mr Melton’s at the Henry County Medical Center in Paris, Tennessee, also paid tribute to him, saying: ‘ The thoughts and prayers of the entire HCMC family are with Sonny and Heather’s families.’
Student Quinton Robbins, 20, was described by his friends and family as a ‘truly amazing person’.
His aunt Kilee Wells Sanders posted on
Facebook: ‘He was the most kind and loving soul. everyone who met him, loved him. His contagious laugh and smile. He will be missed by so many, he is loved by so many. so many awesome talents. I can’t say enough good about this sweet soul.’
Mr Robbins’s friend tyce Jones said: ‘Always had a smile on his face and was a nice guy. He loved his family and loved to coach his little brother’s flag football team. He will be missed.’
Denise Burditus, 50, died in the arms of her husband tony minutes after they had uploaded a picture to social media of themselves smiling at the concert. Mr burditus is said to have retired last year after serving in us special Forces for 25 years.
Family friend Heath philips wrote on Facebook: ‘please pray for my friend and all those there in Vegas. My friend’s wife of 32 years died in his arms last night in the Vegas shooting. He finally retired after over 25 years in special Forces last year, got a new RV a few months ago to travel around and enjoy life with his wife.’
Another friend of the couple posted: ‘today is a hard day. My heart hurts. I’m devastated and my heart aches for Denise salmon burditus and her family. Denise was a longtime past client of mine who was killed last night in the Vegas shooting. I received word early this morning.
‘she was such an amazing woman, always smiling, living life to its fullest, celebrating daily with her husband, kids, grand babies, friends and more…she died in her husband’s arms, her best friend.’
the parents of Jordan McIldoon, 23, from british columbia, canada, said their family had been torn apart. Al and Angela McIldoon said their son, an only child, had been at the festival with his girlfriend when he was gunned down. A mechanic apprentice, he wasn preparing to start trade school.
they told cbc News: ‘ We only had one child. We just don’t know what to do.’
Lisa Romero was confirmed among the victims by Miyamura High school, in New Mexico, where she worked as a secretary.
Kindergarten teacher Jenny Parks was a married mother of two from california.
Adrian Murfitt, 35, was celebrating the end of a successful fishing season when he was killed as he partied with friends.
His best friend brian MacKinnon told Alaska Dispatch News how he saw Mr Murfitt get hit by a bullet, adding: ‘We were taking a picture and it went through his neck. there’s a lot of amazing people — there was nurses, doctors, firemen. everybody who was at that concert really jumped on it, did everything they could. We just couldn’t save him.’ His sister shannon Gothard said: ‘He was my brother, so of course I thought he was an arrogant little cuss. but only I can say that cause he’s my brother. He had this big, jovial, goofy laugh. He’d always try to do the right thing. He had a big heart.’
Jessica Klymchuk, a mother of four, from Alberta, canada, was also confirmed to be among the dead. canadian politician Rachel Notley tweeted: ‘our hearts go out to the loved ones of Jessica Klymchuk, an Albertan who was killed in the las Vegas attack. We are so sorry for your loss.’
Rachael Parker, who worked for Manhattan beach police Department in california was also confirmed as dead with the police department saying in a statement that she would be ‘greatly missed’.
other victims named included Rhonda leRocque, carrie barnette, bailey schweitzer, Angela Gomez and John phippen.