Dad Who Saved at Least 30 People From Las Vegas Shooting Needs Help Paying Medical Bills
Jonathan Smith is likely to live with a bullet in his neck for the rest of his life.
Jonathan Smith, a 30-year-old father from California, was one of the heroes who, instead of running for cover as a gunman opened fire in Las Vegas Sunday night, chose to help as many people as possible, The Washington Post reports. But his heroic act has left him with a bullet lodged in his neck.
Smith was attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival to celebrate his brother Louis Rust's 43rd birthday. But the celebration was cut short when gunshots started flying during Jason Aldean's performance. It was the beginning of what would become the deadliest shooting in modern American history, which claimed the lives of at least 59 people and injured 527.
For a moment, Smith said he was separated from his nieces – ages 22, 18 and 17 – but he focused on warning others in the crowd to run for safety. "Active shooter, active shooter, let's go! We have to run," he said, according to the Washington Post. Reporter Heather Long, who was in Las Vegas at the time and spoke with Smith, shared a Facebook post that said Smith was able to save about 30 people.
But Smith's bravery came at a price. "I couldn't feel anything in my neck. There was a warm sensation in my arm," Smith said of the moment he felt a bullet penetrate his neck. He also fractured his collarbone, and has a cracked rib and a bruised lung. That bullet in his neck will not be removed for now because doctors fear it may cause more damage.
Smith's sister-in-law Tiffany Jones started a GoFundMe page to try and raise funds for Smith's medical expenses. "He is currently unable to support his family as a result of this horrible event as his body requires time to heal from such an injury," Jones explained. "In addition to this, he will need to pay medical expenses – much of which will need to come out of pocket. Our family is so blessed to have someone so heroic and selfless putting the lives of others before his own." GoFundMe verified the legitimacy of the fundraiser to GoodHousekeeping.com.
In just 15 hours since the fundraising page was started, donations have surpassed the $7,000 goal. On social media, hundreds are calling Smith a hero, showing him support and praise. More than 4,000 people have commented on a Reddit thread of Smith's picture, and others have thanked him on Twitter for his act of selflessness.
Smith was reportedly waiting for his final discharge from the Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas as of Monday afternoon.
