Detroit Lions safety Miles Killebrew grew up in Las Vegas. He moved to Henderson, Nevada in high school, which is just 16 miles southeast of Las Vegas, but said Monday he's always considered himself a Vegas kid.
He was no-doubt troubled when he woke up Monday morning and heard about the mass shooting at a country music concert outside of the Mandalay Bay Casino on the Las Vegas strip that killed at least 58 people and wounded hundreds more.
"It's a tragic time in Vegas," Killebrew said. "We have a lot of people struggling. Just praying for the best."
Killebrew said a couple of his former classmates in high school were shot. They suffered flesh wounds mostly, but one former classmate is still in the hospital.
Killebrew woke up to text messages on his phone Monday asking if his family was OK. Not knowing what had happened yet, he immediately went online and learned about the tragic events happening in his hometown.
"My heart was broken," he said. "Immediately started reaching out to people back home.
"I have friends who know some of the people who were killed, unfortunately. It's tough. It's a hard time right now, but once again, we're praying for them. There's lots being done. I know a lot of people are giving blood."
Killebrew encouraged anyone in Las Vegas wanting to help, but not knowing how to help, to go give blood.
He also had a message for people not directly affected by Sunday's events:
"My best advice if you don't have anyone you can connect to, just love who's around you right now," he said. "This day and age, you never know what can happen. Show some love for people around you if you can. Sometimes that's all you can do."
