Vegas Gunman Took 'Happiest, Most Caring, Sweet, And Self-Sacrificing Person You Would Ever Know'

TEWKSBURY, MA — Sunday, October 1 was a lot like every other day Rhonda LeRocque had spent in Las Vegas on her family vacation. LeRocque, her husband Jason, their six-year-old daughter Ali and Jason's father would get breakfast, then spend the day at the pool at Mandalay Bay. Then they would go to the nightly concert for the Route 91 Country Music Festival. After a few hours, Ali would fall asleep and Jason and Rhonda would bring her back to the hotel for his father to watch her before returning to catch the end of the show.

But on October 1, shortly after they returned to the concert after leaving Ali with Jason's father, shots rang out and panic ensured. "Rhonda was among those who were hit very early on," Jason LeRocque said in a statement.

Ken Ball, whose wife is Jason's cousin, read the statement Thursday morning in a press conference at the Tewksbury Police Department. The statement was the first public comment by the family since the Tewksbury woman was killed, and it offered new details about Rhonda LeRocque's final hours, as well as insight into Jason and Ali's lives in the 11 days since the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.

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"Words cannot properly describe the loss we feel and the emptiness Rhonda's death leaves in all of us," Jason LeRocque, who did not attend Thursday's press event, wrote. "We are heartened, however, by the vast outpouring of love, support, tenderness and giving we have seen literally since the moment those horrific shots started."

Watch the video of Ken Ball delivering the statement written by Rhonda LeRocque's husband Jason below:

"Rhonda was a beautiful, loving mother and wife, and Ali and our entire family meant the world to her. Rhonda was a very special daughter, sister, and dear friend who will be missed deeply by her family as well as her spiritual family," the statement said. "People who had the privilege to know Rhonda would only describe her as the happiest, most caring, sweet, and self-sacrificing person you would ever know."

Jason LeRocque said unnamed individuals were able to help keep Rhonda alive until they were able to get to the Trauma Center at University Medical Center in Las Vegas. He was with her the whole time, up until she died a few hours after the shooting. The list of people Jason LeRocque thanked ranged from the doctors and nurses at the Trauma Center to Spirit airlines, for providing air transportation for family members to attend this weekend's memorial service, to a limousine driver who helped distract Ali with a trip to In-N-Out Burger.

Back home in Tewksbury, there were more people to thank. LeRocque's statement made a point of thanking Tewksbury Police Chief Timothy Sheehan and his department for helping the family, Rhonda's employer, the Cambridge-based design firm IDEO, and Jason's employer, Merz Construction.

He also said the family was humbled by donations that have been made to the family in the days following the shooting. The family also launched a new website to offer updated information, including details for those who are giving to the LeRocque family fund.

"Rhonda was a firm believer in the Bible's hope for the future that soon death and violent acts will no longer exist (Rev 21: 3, 4)," Jason LeRocque's statement concluded. "At this time, as difficult as her death is to all who knew her, we are comforted by this message as well, and will continue to share the message with others."

Thursday's statement comes ahead of the weekend where the family will lay Rhonda LeRoque, 42, to rest. Visiting hours are 2-8 p.m. Friday at the Nichols Funeral Home at 187 Middlesex Avenue in Wilmington. There will also be a talk in memory of LeRocque for family and friends at Tewksbury Memorial High School at 320 Pleasant Street on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

More On This Story

• Tewksbury Woman Among Victims In Las Vegas Shooting (10/2/2017)
• Community Rallies To Support Family Of Tewksbury Woman Slain In Las Vegas Massacre (10/4/2017)
• Band Donates Proceeds Of Show To Family Of Tewksbury Woman Killed In Las Vegas Massacre (10/5/2017)
• Funeral Plans Announced For Tewksbury Woman Killed In Las Vegas Massacre (10/11/2017)

Top: Patch file photo by LeRocque family. All other photos and video by Dave Copeland.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).