Gastonia native just finished performing with band when shots fired in Las Vegas

A man from Gaston County, who is part of a band from North Carolina, performed at the Las Vegas music festival where a deadly mass shooting took place.

"It sounded like something out of a video game or war movie,” said Rob Williford, a Gastonia native and guitarist for country artist Luke Combs.

Williford spoke to Channel 9 about the pure panic he witnessed in Las Vegas.

"The one thing I can't get out of my head is the sound, the sound of the gun, just endless gunshots,” Williford said.

The band had just played at the Route 91 Country Music Festival, and Williford and other bandmates had walked from backstage to see some of Jason Aldean's performance, when concert-goers started running toward him.

Then Williford heard the gunshots in rapid succession.

"I thought there was somebody in the middle of the crowd with a machine gun," Williford said.

Williford said that he and a bandmate ran down the street and hid behind an SUV.

"The way the gunshots were echoing, it sounded like there were multiple people shooting," Williford recounted.

Eventually, they ran back to their tour bus and Williford said he texted family and friends to let them know he was safe.

Williford said he is thankful the band and crew are okay, but heartbroken for the families who are not as fortunate.

"People come out and that's supposed to be a time of joy for them... and it turned into people running for their lives, literally,” Williford said.

The Luke Combs Band was scheduled to play on Jimmy Kimmel on Monday night, which airs after Eyewitness news at 11 p.m.

Band members said they hope to do a tribute to the shooting victims.

Cox Media Group