Vegas shooting survivor speaks at Crime Victims Week event
CALIPATRIA — “After Vegas” is often how Meriah Overton refers to the span of time that has transpired since the deadly Oct. 1 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, where she was struck in the right shin by a bullet.
Yet, despite the lingering emotional and physical trauma, the 22-yearold Brawley resident said she views herself more as a “warrior” than as a victim.
“My experience with this one act of pure evil and hatred has led to my heart feeling more full than it ever has before,” Overton said. “I understand more clearly how precious life really is, and I cherish each and every single moment of my life so much more.”
Overton recalled her frightening experience at the Las Vegas country music festival during a nine-minute speech on Wednesday at the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week ceremony at Calipatria State Prison.
In vivid detail, Overton described the events of that fateful night, as well as her road to recovery, which is still beset by fear and anxiety that at times is brought on by ordinary situations.
“Part of my healing journey has been accepting the fact that not being OK is OK,” she said.
Through it all, Overton has held fast to the position that witnessing such an act of violence would not prevent her from seeking out and sharing happiness, love and kindness with others.
Her actions are also in line with the 58 Random Acts of Kindness campaign, which encourages acts of kindness in honor of the 58 individuals who lost their lives as a result of the shooting.
“Because you never really know when one small random act of kindness can mean so much more,” Overton said.
Compassion, connection and empathy are considered important elements that allow victims of crimes moments of vulnerability, which in turn can be empowering and promote the healing process, said Jamie Swain, California Crime Victims Coalition operations manager. The coalition was formed more than 16 years ago at Centinela State Prison in an effort to provide support for correctional officers who were victims of crimes.
Swain told those gathered on Wednesday that the general public typically doesn’t consider law enforcement personnel capable of being a victim of a crime, and that officers often adopt a similar attitude.
“Incidents of victimization are viewed as a by-product of a job that was willingly signed up for,” Swain said.
This line of thinking can result in embarrassment and shame and can lead to addiction, depression and suicide among law enforcement personnel, Swain said.
“Knowing that this is an ongoing issue, we truly need to expand the circle and reach all victims, and this includes all of you who keep us safe,” she said. “Contrary to what many of us have been taught, seeking support is not weakness; it is courageous.”
Swain’s remarks paid tribute to this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week theme, “Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims.”
Another theme that emerged during the ceremony highlighted how public agencies and partner organizations are continuously working toward protecting the rights of crime victims.
One of the ways in which the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ensures victims of crimes are protected is by providing inmates with the rehabilitation needed to prevent them from committing further criminal acts once they are released, said Calipatria prison Warden W.L. Montgomery.
Recent data reveals that the strategies employed by CDCR over the past five to eight years have resulted for the first time in history in recidivism rates consistently below 50 percent, down from a rate of about 70 percent about 15 years ago.
“It minimizes them victimizing our families and our neighbors,” Montgomery said.
County District Attorney Gilbert Otero also spoke about how his obligation to uphold the constitutional rights of criminal defendants does not come at the expense of protecting victims.
Otero told those gathered that over the past five years, the DA’s Office’s Victim Witness Assistance Program had grown from two victim witness advocates and one part-time director to seven advocates, a full-time director, as well as volunteers and clerical staff.
“In my department, we believe in helping victims and want to provide services to them,” Otero said.