Jimmy Kimmel Gives Tearful Speech on Vegas Shooting Before Luke Combs Performance [Watch]
Jimmy Kimmel delivered an emotional plea for change on gun laws on Monday evening (Oct. 2) at the start of his show.
The host of Jimmy Kimmel Live wept during a 10-minute opening in which where he begged people to talk to their Congressmen and women following the mass shooting in Las Vegas at Route 91 Harvest Festival, which left at least 59 people dead.
"Here we are again in the aftermath of another terrible, inexplicable, shocking and painful tragedy this time in Las Vegas which happens to be my hometown," he says in the clip above. "As you know, at least 59 people are dead, hundreds of people were wounded in what they say is the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history, coming a year-and-a-half after the previous deadliest mass shooting in modern American history in Orlando where 49 people lost their lives."
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Continues Kimmel: "Of course, we pray for the victims and their families and friends and we wonder why, even though there's probably no way to know why a human being would do this to other human beings at a concert having fun and listening to music."
"As a result of that we have children without parents, fathers without sons, mothers without daughters."
Kimmel's Monday night (Oct. 2) show ended with a powerful performance from country music's Luke Combs, who was on Sunday's Route 91 Festival lineup and performed prior to the attack, which occurred during Jason Aldean's headlining set. The country up-and-comer sang a poignant song about losing a loved one, "Used to You," to honor those hurt and killed in the massacre.
In a message on Facebook, Combs explains his song choice:
"Music is a healer. In this overwhelming darkness, I believe we will find hope when we rise together," he writes. "Evil will not win. Fans, it is the blessing of my life to get to make music with you and for you every day. Tonight, may we find light and hope in the chaos."
Watch Luke Combs Perform "Used to You" on Jimmy Kimmel
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