Tragic, is one of the many ways to describe the music festival shooting that happened last night (Oct.1) in Las Vegas.

Vegas has always been a desired destination for Canadians, including Tara Barr, who grew up in Red Deer and living in Calgary.

Barr was at the Route 91 Harvest Musical Festival during the time of the shooting, and describes her experience.

“We just heard everybody yelling, ‘get down, get down’ and everyone, thousands of people that were in front of the stage, which is where we were, were down on the ground panicking and trying to support each other.”

“It was just basically running for our lives and helping people along the way.”

At the time of the shootings, Barr said no one knew where it was coming from and caused an even greater sense of panic.

“There was no exit because we were all fenced in. Fences were being broken down and people were trying to get out and the shooting just didn’t stop. We thought there were shooters in there with us. It got louder and louder like it was following us.”

“Everybody was just trying to run out of there as fast as they could, hiding behind police cars.”

Barr said through all the commotion, she could still sense a feeling of comradery.

“Everyone was just so helpful and caring of each other and that was the whole feel of the concert. It’s so surprising because the whole three days was so amazing and everyone was getting along. There was no fighting or pushing.”

“It was the best music festival I’ve been too and it’s mind blowing to think it ended in such a terrible way after it had been like nothing I’ve experienced before.”

Red Deerian Sam Leszczynski, wasn’t at the concert, but was just two blocks away from where the shooting took place. He was at the airport this morning (Oct. 2) and said it was a weird feeling.

“It’s very weary. The U.S. has been going on about how many enemies they have and talking with a few locals here they were telling me it’s not good to have enemies within and were disturbed with how it happened.”

“From a hotel room, picking off people with an assault rifle is very scary.”

At least 59 people were killed and over 500 injured. 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, who did the shooting from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, killed himself before police could get to him.