Under the Neon Lights: Examining the Memories of Las Vegas' Route 91 Harvest Music Festival

The aim of the current study was to identify patterns of meaning in the trauma narratives of Route 91 Harvest survivors. We undertook a thematic analysis to examine survivors’ narratives collected shortly after the event (i.e., within one month), allowing for a more in-depth understanding of what survivors tended to emphasize or gravitate toward when recalling the episode of mass violence that resulted in the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history. From the rich thematic content emerged a dominant theme of memory for contextual details—specifically, sensory-perceptual features, time, and space. Specifically, Route 91 Harvest survivors reported vivid sensory experiences, a subjective slowing of time, and detailed spatial awareness during their escape. Additionally, the themes of physical injuries, acts of heroism, and contemplating one’s mortality also emerged. Overall, the current study adds to the scant literature examining the experiences of mass shooting survivors and highlights the complexity and intensity associated with how traumatic events are experienced and remembered.