The city of lights seemed to fall dim on October 1st, 2017 as a gunman fired aimlessly into a crowd of 22,000 people attending the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival.

What some individuals reported sounded like fireworks, ended up being a life-threatening situation that will forever change their lives. I can only imagine the horror these individuals went through; yet I do know the heartache, the devastation, and the fear because I too am a country music fan.

Of course, it was heartwrenching to hear of the horrific incidents prior to this record-breaking massacre, such as Sandy Hook and Pulse Night Club. However, to identify with this kind of group, it gives me a whole new perspective to what tragedy has resulted from tragic shootings. As as an avid country music concert goer and a person who loves attending popular events, this incident makes me nauseated thinking about even leaving my house.To be frank, it's not fair because I am a 21-year-old woman who is now just being able to experience life. Nonetheless, these people that were aggressively attacked are the same as I, people who I've stood next to at other concerts, some I have even share the same zip code. Knowing the horrific devastation my friends had to be apart of, leaves me speechless and feeling hopeless. Could this have been a deliberate act of hate against these specific concert goers or just of the general human population? Despite what the answer may be, I too feel personally attacked.

Scared . . . A single word that can perfectly depict myself days after the event. I have a country concert to attend on October 6th at the Arizona State Fair. This is both a concert and a large event that usually I am excited to go to, but this time around scared to attend. As individuals apart of the United States, we should be able to walk out of our houses feeling free -- we should be able to enjoy being next to a stranger and being out of harm's way. I want to go out and have a good time with people I share the interests with and feel safe. But as a 21-year-old college student, I am unable to say that I am completely free in my country. Fear owns me at this moment in time and that is not fair. Consequently, I cannot let fear own me, nor should anyone else be owned by their emotions at this time. This is what inhumane individuals want -- to have control over us in order to attack again.

So as of right now, until something changes in this country, I will have heartache, I will remain devastated and I will be scared.

But, I will still proudly put on my boots and put on a brave face, but unfortunately keep looking for the nearest exit.