Las Vegas Mass Shooting: Nashville Officials Vow To Learn From Tragedy

NASHVILLE, TN — During the Nashville Predators' run to the Stanley Cup Final, tens of thousands of people filled Lower Broadway outside Bridgestone Arena to enjoy the conviviality of watching the game with fellow fans on big screens. Outdoor concerts featuring some of the top names in country music served as a Music City prelude to the big games.

On Independence Day and New Year's Eve, hundreds of thousands of people head to the riverfront or Bicentennial Mall for the big celebration. There are frequently concerts on blocked off streets, at Walk of Fame Park or in the Public Square. These big gatherings are part of the Nashville experience and all are eerily similar in set-up to the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas: open spaces in urban centers holding thousands of people and surrounded by buildings.

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READ MORE:

• Las Vegas Mass Shooting: More Than 50 Dead, 400 Injured In Worst Shooting In U.S. History, Says Sheriff
• Las Vegas Mass Shooting: Tennessee Man Killed During Concert Attack
• Las Vegas Mass Shooting: Country Music Reacts

After the events of Sunday night at the Las Vegas country-music festival, Metro Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern and Convention and Visitors' Corporation President and CEO Butch Spyridon issued a statement assuring Nashvillians and visitors that safety is a top priority for these events.

"Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the tragic event in Las Vegas, especially the victims, their families and friends, and the fans, artists and crews from our Country community in Vegas. This festival brought together people from all backgrounds united in enjoying life through music.

“Safety at all of our events is and will remain our top priority. We are constantly adjusting our event security measures year-round, partnering and consulting with experts at the federal, state and local levels through our full-time security team and the Metro Police Department. We will continue our efforts to provide the most comprehensive security possible.”

Later, Metro Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson said he would be speaking with Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo in an effort to learn more about preventing such a tragedy from repeating.

Images via Metro Nashville Police