Las Vegas mass shooting victim emotionally opens up about his murdered boyfriend
A Las Vegas shooting victim who saw his boyfriend killed in front of him has opened up in an emotional interview.
Cameron Robinson, 28, was shot dead on Sunday night while with his boyfriend Bobby Eardley, 36.
Bobby took shrapnel to the back as gunman Stephen Paddock killed at least 59 people and injured another 527 in the deadliest mass shooting in US history.
Armed with 16 guns, 64-year-old Paddock opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, shooting at those who were attending an open-air music festival – which included the couple.
Speaking to Anderson Cooper on CNN, Bobby spoke about his late boyfriend in heartbreakingly glowing terms.
“I just cannot say enough amazing things about that man,” he said.
The couple had been together for four years after they met on OkCupid, and a year ago, Cameron moved in with Bobby and his three children in St George, Utah.
Trying to hold back the tears, Bobby switched between present and past tense as he tried to process the terrible tragedy.
“He’s such an example to everyone that he ever came in contact with in his life.
He has such a rough background, where he came from, and such trials and tribulations in his life, but he always, always strived to be better.
“And he never stopped, and he built such an amazing life for himself.”
Cameron’s sister Meghan Ervin said her brother was killed by a direct shot to the neck.
The couple had been together for four years after they met on OkCupid, and a year ago, Cameron moved in with Bobby and his three children in St George, Utah.
And Bobby revealed that Cameron had even made his coming out easier.
“When I came out four years ago, I didn’t know how it was all going to go with my family.
“I knew they were accepting and everything, but it took someone as special as Cameron to be able to open eyes for everyone, and learn love and acceptance.”
His voice breaking, Bobby added: “I’m so grateful to him for that, and for the example he was for not only me but my family and my kids – he was just such a strong, strong person.”
Bobby said he knew Cameron was the one “straight away,” adding that the pair spoke online for a week before meeting up in Vegas.
“The connection was too much not to…” he said, trailing off.
As Bobby comforted Cameron after he was shot, he said: “I just wanted to make sure that he knew that he wasn’t alone in those moments, and I held him and talked to him the whole time.
“And I know he wasn’t the only victim, and I know that so many other people are going through exactly what I’m going through, and my heart goes out to every single one of them.”
He also paid tribute to “the heroes of this situation” who tried to keep Cameron and another victim alive in the truck while driving to the hospital.
“Two gentlemen did CPR on both those men the whole entire time on the way to the hospital, and it was just so incredible to see that drive and determination and will to help,” he said.
“Complete strangers, and I didn’t get their names, and I don’t even know their faces, and I just feel awful that I can’t meet them and thank them for everything they did.
“It meant a lot to me in those moments.”
Watch the full interview here:
Bobby Eardley’s partner died in Las Vegas: “I just can not say enough amazing things about that man.” https://t.co/Xw1gTMa5ef
— Meg Wagner (@megwagner) October 4, 2017