LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Nine years after the One October shooting, people across the valley are finding their own ways to remember. For some, that means returning to the One October Healing Garden.
A place that came together quickly
The healing garden is filled with pictures, memories, and decorations honoring the lives lost during the shooting. The garden was built just days after the shooting and still stands nine years later.
Joshua Ryan Abellera survived the Route 91 Music Festival shooting nine years ago.
“This morning, it was really hard to get up. I felt this heavy weight on my shoulders. And then all of a sudden, I was like, you know what, maybe this is a time for me to pay my respects,” Abellera said. “And now I feel like life is fluid. But the main thing is that we always push forward as much as we can.”
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Remembering those lost
Karen Torres has returned to the garden year after year. Her best friend, Lisa Romero Muniz, was one of the victims who lost their life on One October.
“Everybody loved Lisa because she was funny all the time,” Torres said. “This is like a club that none of us ever wanted to be in, but we are. And so, we’re all here and we support each other. We give each other love.”
Joey Castile came with his family to remember his sister-in-law, Carrie Barnett.
“She was fun, loving, caring, helpful, spreads a lot of joy, lights up the room,” Castile said.
Castile said coming to the garden every year has become a way to connect with others who have lost someone too.
“And just having them come up to you and welcome you and, you know, giving their condolences. It’s like a growing extended family,” Castile said.
Jimmy Schlosser comes to the garden to remember two friends, Tommy Day Jr. and Austin Davis, who he said he used to see nearly every week.
“I actually played slow pitch ball, that’s kind of how I knew them really well,” Schlosser said. “So, having an awesome place like this, they did such a good job with it, as a really good reminder of all the good core values.”
Ceremony moves to sunset
The name reading ceremony at the healing garden is set for 7 p.m. In previous years, it was held at 10:05 p.m., the approximate time when the first shots were fired on One October.
The city of Las Vegas was asked about the change. “There are many events and ceremonies on Oct. 1, and that makes for a very long day for the families and survivors who come together to remember those we lost,” the city said.
The city will now hold a sunset ceremony.
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