Tyronn Lue said 15 of his friends were at the concert where a gunman killed 58 people and wounded hundreds of others in Las Vegas earlier this week.
The Cavaliers coach spoke candidly about the incident on Wednesday, noting three of his friends were among the injured when Stephen Paddock opened fire on the crowd at a music festival outside the Mandalay Bay Casino on the Vegas Strip.
Lue said his friends all made it out of the chaotic scene alive, but it’s been a troubling week for the head coach who used to live in Las Vegas and counts many residents of the city as his good friends.
Via Cleveland.com:
“I knew a lot of people that were affected, a lot of people that were there,” Lue said.
Lue confirmed that his friends were still alive, but mourned the terrible loss others are feeling.
“I feel sorry for all the loved ones of each one that lost someone or been badly hurt,” Lue continued. “It’s just not a good thing. I knew you guys would probably bring it up. I’ve been touched by a few people who’d gotten injured, who’d gotten shot. Just a tough position to be in.
“When you’re going through your phone and so many people who lived out there, were great friends of yours and took care of you, you’ve been around for so long. It’s just tough to go through that experience.”
The horror of wondering whether your friends are alive after a mass shooting in your hometown is something many in America have felt over the last few years. Lue isn’t unique in his outrage or fear, which honestly is something that makes it all that much worse.
