MADISON, Wis. – Earlier this week, Attorney General Brad Schimel organized and deployed a team of nine victim service crisis response professionals to Nevada to assist victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas that took place on October 1, 2017.
“Tragedies like the Las Vegas shooting often leave victims searching for answers and struggling to navigate the criminal justice system,” said Attorney General Schimel. “I’m glad Wisconsin was able to respond quickly to begin providing services to victims and their families as they encounter physical, emotional, and financial obstacles. We are grateful for, and proud of, those who will take leave from their families in Wisconsin to help Nevada officials provide service to victims in Las Vegas.”
On Monday, October 10, Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt requested assistance from Wisconsin and other states in light of the overwhelming number of victims still in need of assistance. The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Crime Victim Services (OCVS) quickly assembled a team of trained crisis response and victim professionals from throughout the state, including two from DOJ. The team arrived in Las Vegas on Tuesday, and will provide support through Saturday, October 14. Wisconsin victim assistance responders will help victims and family members navigate services and resources, provide crisis counseling and assist with personal effects retrieval. Expenses incurred by this deployment will be covered by federal Victims of Crime Act grant funding. Wisconsin DOJ is prepared to provide further support in the following weeks.
DOJ has gathered the following information for victims and witnesses affected by the shooting:
For individuals still in Las Vegas needing information on assistance, the Clark County Sheriff’s Department and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department have established a Family Assistance Center to provide victims and their families with support services and victim resources. The Family Assistance Center offers onsite childcare and is assisted by the American Red Cross, MGM Resorts Human Resources, the FBI Office of Victim Assistance, and other victim specialists. More info at: https://www.lvmpd.com/en-us/Pages/1OctoberFestivalShooting.aspx
