A victim of the horrific Las Vegas mass shooting is being hailed a hero after shielding his wife from the attack.
Sonny Melton, 29, and his wife were watching country music star Jason Aldean when gunman Stephen Paddock opened fire, killing at least 59 people and injuring another 527. It’s now the most deadly mass shooting in modern American history.
His wife, Heather Gulish Melton, has described how her husband saved her life when the shooting began.
“He saved my life. He grabbed me and started running when I felt him get shot in the back,” she told WSMV. “I want everyone to know what a kind-hearted, loving man he was, but at this point, I can barely breathe.”
Wife of Sonny Melton, Heather Gulish Melton: “He saved my life. He grabbed me and started running when I felt him get shot in the back.” pic.twitter.com/yfdSFdC4rL
— Forrest Sanders (@ForrestBSanders) October 2, 2017
“At this point, I’m in complete disbelief and despair,” she told Fox17. “I don’t know what to say. Sonny was the most kind-hearted, loving man I have ever met. He saved my life and lost his.”
Melton, a Tennessee man, worked as a nurse at Henry County Medical Centre, where Gulish Melton also worked as a surgeon. A coworker told Fox17 that they were in Las Vegas celebrating their first wedding anniversary.
“The thoughts and prayers of the entire HCMC family are with Sonny and Heather’s families,” said HCMC CEO Thomas Gee. “We ask that all staff, friends, and patients of the couple respect their privacy at this time and refrain from contacting the family and the HCMC Kelley Clinic if they do not have a reason to do so.”
Gee told media that Melton, a registered nurse, worked in emergency, but was just on the verge of becoming a surgical nurse to assist his wife in surgery.
“Just like a lot of nurses, he was a very kind and helping person,” he said. “He was well-liked by everybody in the facility. They were newlyweds, only a year or two married. It’s just a real tragedy.”
Henry County Medical Center CEO says employee Sonny Melton died protecting his wife Heather in the Las Vegas shooting. @FOXNashville pic.twitter.com/oZw0U3tXgp
— Eric Alvarez (@EricAlvarezTV) October 2, 2017
Melton is being remembered online as a hero.
An American Hero, Sonny Melton. https://t.co/P2OVqjxEgx
— Ryan Miller (@CoachRyanMiller) October 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/Chet_Cannon/status/914930046787239936
Very sad to learn of the passing of Henry County native Sonny Melton. Please keep his wife, Heather, in your thoughts and prayers. https://t.co/GQa9apDNc5
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) October 2, 2017
Other victims who have been identified in the horrific attack include Jordan McIldoon, Jessica Klymchuk, Charleston Hartfield, Lisa Romero, Susan Smith, Angie Gomez, Sandy Casey, Rachael Parker, Bailey Schweitzer, Quinton Robbins, Rhonda LeRocque, Angela Gomez and Jenny Parks.
“He’s a great boy.” Family says Jordan McIldoon was in Vegas with gf celebrating birthdays at time of deadly shooting. @GlobalBC @BC1 pic.twitter.com/w2uC3of2Tt
— John Hua 華仁安 (@JohnHua) October 2, 2017
#BREAKING: Edmonton woman killed in #VegasAttack identified as Jessica Klymchuk. She was a single mother of 4, visiting Vegas with fiancé. pic.twitter.com/kr8izHcCIz
— CityNews Toronto (@CityNewsTO) October 2, 2017
Friends identify the Las Vegas police officer killed in Sunday’s massacre: Charleston Hartfield, 34 https://t.co/CWu6qqTe9Q pic.twitter.com/dnHFnhQer0
— The Trace (@teamtrace) October 2, 2017
Lisa Romero was a secretary at Miyamura HS. The Gallup-McKinley School District is meeting about this right now. #LasVegasShooting #NM https://t.co/Jm7K1d94tU
— Megan Cruz (@MeganDcCruz) October 2, 2017
BREAKING: Simi Valley Unified School Dist confirms one of their office managers Susan Smith was killed in Las Vegas mass shooting. @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/uvI1YUfdu7
— Gigi Graciette (@GigiGraciette) October 2, 2017
Riverside Polytechnic High School PTSA confirmed 2015 alumnus, Angie Gomez, was killed in the Las Vegas shooting last night.
— Beatriz La Bruja 🎃 (@BeatrizlaBruja) October 2, 2017
Manhattan Beach police records tech Rachel Parker confirmed killed in Las Vegas mass shooting. https://t.co/uwmBMKRUsE pic.twitter.com/Y7kp130A1Q
— KCAL News (@kcalnews) October 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/katiezavadski/status/914938393192169472
Bakersfield woman killed in Las Vegas mass shooting identified as 20-year-old Bailey Schweitzer. More: https://t.co/Qm1ZkCHquG pic.twitter.com/Cows92I4on
— BakersfieldNow (@bakersfieldnow) October 2, 2017
Those lucky enough to know Quinton know what a great person he is to have in your life. He always managed to make everyone smile. You will be dearly missed my friend. Prayers go out to the Robbins family in this tough time🙏❤️ pic.twitter.com/dz1krTV93h
— cory wills (@corywills02) October 2, 2017
“We’ve lost a gem.” Tewksbury mom Rhonda LeRocque killed in Las Vegas massacre. @nbcboston pic.twitter.com/U1mHozdg3V
— Michael Rosenfield NBC10 Boston (@MikeRNBCBoston) October 2, 2017
Angela Gomez, a former high school cheerleader, was at the concert with her boyfriend. https://t.co/zWVpk32vDO pic.twitter.com/muYIkP68KV
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) October 2, 2017
JUST IN: Kindergarten teacher, Jenny Parks, among those killed in deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas. (@CNNNewsource) pic.twitter.com/UOGEQ6hWQl
— ABC 13 News – WSET (@ABC13News) October 2, 2017
Las Vegas police have yet to uncover a motive as to this senseless act of violence.
