THE United States' worst mass shooting in history won’t be enough to stop Port Macquarie’s Mike and Sue Cannon from visiting Las Vegas again.
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Retired property manager Stephen Paddock opened fire on an open-air country music festival crowd from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, killing 59 people and wounding a further 520.
The couple were staying in their room at the Hard Rock Hotel on Sunday evening (October 1), originally unaware of the mayhem that was happening two and a half kilometres away.
Their vantage point had a good view of what is known as The Strip which runs for about eight kilometres.
Mandalay Bay Hotel is at the southern end of The Strip.
“There are Casinos, shopping and tourist attractions along the whole distance,” Mr Cannon said.
The telly was on all night and neither of us slept much because it was frightening not knowing if there were other shooters out there.
- Mike Cannon
The St Joseph’s Regional College teacher said emergency services started to flood the strip from about 10.10pm onwards.
“It took a little while before everything reached social media, news broadcasts or the Las Vegas Metro Police website,” he said.
“There was obviously something happening but we weren’t sure what and once the television coverage started we realised how horrific the incident was.
“The telly was on all night and neither of us slept much because it was frightening not knowing if there were other shooters out there.”
When they realised the magnitude of what was happening, genuine fear started to set in.
“It was very real and very frightening and even though we were a distance away the doors were double locked and curtains closed,” he said.
Mr Cannon said the following day they walked around in a daze.
“We were in a place where people come to have fun and escape reality for a while,” he said.
“We felt guilty by the pool or dining out as we didn’t want to disrespect the victims and their families. We pretty much stayed at our hotel all day.”
It really hit home when they ordered room service the following night.
“A local girl bought us dinner and was very emotional and said in her down time found herself in tears,” he said.
It was very real and very frightening and even though we were a distance away the doors were double locked and curtains closed.
- Mike Cannon
“Everyone is trying to keep busy and go on with what they would do normally but obviously it’s difficult.”
Mr Cannon said the gunman’s senseless attack wouldn’t prevent them from returning.
“We have been here once before and we will be back,” he said.
The Cannon’s headed for home with heavy hearts on October 3 (October 4 in Australia).
“We all want to help but there is limited scope to do that outside of giving blood or money,” Mr Cannon said.
“Unfortunately it has been a very emotional stay this time and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the people of Las Vegas.”
