When tragedy strikes, heroes emerge. That is the case in California bar shooting. A Marine who was a regular at the California bar was also a survivor of the Vegas shooting. Brendan Kelly used his military and medical training to help save lives at the scene during the shooting. Guiding patrons to the exits and using the clothes off his back for first aid.
According to a report from ABC7: Kelly said he had been at the bar for about an hour dancing when he heard the first shots. “Pop, pop,” said Kelly, describing the sound he heard. “Being in the military, being in the Marine Corps, I’m aware of what that sounds like, especially in an enclosed area.”
Kelly said he immediately sprang into action, grabbing people around him and throwing them to the ground for cover.
“As soon as I identified where the target was, or where the threat was, I grabbed at least two people around me and yanked them as hard as I could to get to the nearest exit,” Kelly said.
“I wanted to help as best I could,” Kelly said. “If we could be the first level of first responders before they got there, then you do all you can do instead of standing around not doing much.”
“Only thing I can attribute it to is God,” Kelly said. “His protective hand over me that night, on October 1, and last night.”
Kelly used his belt as a tourniquet and used his shirt as a bandage before grabbing gloves and gauze from first responders to continue assisting victims.
Twelve were killed and many were wounded. The shooter used a .45 caliber Glock handgun with a extended magazine that is illegal in California. The gunman turned the gun on himself ending the attack.