Country musicians react on social media after Las Vegas music festival mass shooting

Country musician Jason Aldean was the final performer of a weekend-long music festival in Las Vegas where at least 58 people were killed and 515 injured in the worst mass shooting in modern United States history.

Aldean was in the middle of a song when gunfire opened up on the crowd from the window of a room at the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino across the Las Vegas Strip, police and media reported. The musician's set was scheduled to begin at 9:40 p.m. at the Nevada venue, according to the Route 91 Harvest music festival's website.

Aldean was not injured. He last performed at the then-First Niagara Pavilion near Pittsburgh in September 2016.

In an Instagram post hours after the shooting, Aldean said the night was "beyond horrific."

Tonight has been beyond horrific. I still dont know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that Me and my Crew are safe. My Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved tonight. It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night. #heartbroken #stopthehate

A post shared by Jason Aldean (@jasonaldean) on Oct 2, 2017 at 1:17am PDT

Jake Owen, who had just wrapped up his evening performance, recounted in an interview with NBC News hearing the rapid gunshots .

"You could hear it ringing off the tops of the rafters of the stage, that's when you saw people fleeing," he told the news station. "At that point, everyone on stage just started running everywhere possible. It was pretty chaotic for sure."

Praying for everyone here in Vegas. I witnessed the most unimaginable event tonight. We are okay. Others arent. Please pray.

" Jake Owen (@jakeowen) October 2, 2017

The outdoor festival was an all-ages show at a venue with two stages, merchandise tents and a line dancing area.

Aldean is on the final leg of his tour with shows scheduled for this weekend in California. He is set for a performance in Columbus, Ohio, on Oct. 19, according to the schedule listed on his website.

He and several other music stars are scheduled to perform a fundraiser concert in Nashville to help with hurricane relief on Nov. 12.

Other performers at the festival included Big & Rich on Sunday evening, Sam Hunt and Maren Morris on Saturday night and Eric Church on Friday.

Country musicians began reaching out on social media Monday morning and expressing their shock and sympathy to those affected by the shooting. The gunman was dead at the scene after police used explosives to storm the hotel room, police and media reported.

Words can't begin explain my sadness. My family and I are praying for the victims of this tragedy. Truly heartbroken.

" Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) October 2, 2017

Woke up to such horrible news. We are praying for the victims and their families. May the Lord bring some comfort to them.

" Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) October 2, 2017

my heart. @Route91Harvest .

" Miranda Lambert (@mirandalambert) October 2, 2017

My heart goes out to all of our friends, @jasonaldean, our music family and fans in Las Vegas. I'm praying for your healing. I pray God puts his arms around you. This is so sad and devastating. I can't understand it. #prayforvegas #prayforpeace

A post shared by Reba (@reba) on Oct 2, 2017 at 5:35am PDT

Praying for everyone at #HarvestFestival . There are no words right now that suffice.

" Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) October 2, 2017

My heart is sick over the news in Las Vegas. Praying 4 everyone in the country community & everyone at the scene.

" Charles Kelley (@charleskelleyla) October 2, 2017

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@tribweb.com or via Twitter @byrenatta.