PARIS TN: Big Sandy man killed in Vegas shooting

He said Melton, 29, was shielding his wife, local orthopedic surgeon Heather Gulish Melton, from the gunfire when he was fatally shot.

His parents, James and Susan Melton of Big Sandy, are flying this morning to Las Vegas, Butler said.

Sonny and Heather Melton have lived in Big Sandy since getting married in June 2016 and were building a house on Kentucky Lake, Butler said.

“He’s been my best friend since I was three,” Butler said. “His mom is like a second mother to me.”

The couple were attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival near the Mandalay Bay Resort.

“They have been following Eric Church and Jason Aldean around all year when they could,” Butler said.

“He saved my life,” Heather Melton told USA Today. “He grabbed me from behind and started running when I felt him get shot in the back.”

In a Facebook post, Melton says she “lost my true love and knight in shining armor. I appreciate the prayers but I just need some time.”

She told the newspaper she wasn’t ready to discuss the tragedy at this time.

“I want everyone to know what a kind-hearted, loving man he was, but at this point, I can barely breathe,” she wrote to USA Today.

Sonny Melton worked as a registered nurse at Henry County Medical Center. In a statement released late Monday morning, a hospital spokesman said the entire hospital was deeply saddened by the tragedy.

“The thoughts and prayers of the entire HCMC family are with Sonny and Heather’s families,” said Tom Gee, CEO at Henry County Medical Center. “We ask that all staff, friends and patients of the couple respect their privacy at this time and refrain from contacting the family and the HCMC Kelley Clinic if they do not have a reason to do so.”

The hospital said counselors were being made available for staff members.

Anyone with appointments with Dr. Melton will be contacted by the office if rescheduling is necessary, the statement said, and asked patients not contact the clinic until hearing from office staff.

“This event is a traumatic life experience for those there and those that are a part of the HCMC caring community,” said spokesman Tory Daughrity. “If you are struggling to understand this event or other types of losses, HCMC has staff available at Lake Haven Behavioral Center. HCMC will be offering information and mental health tips to our partners, families and our community throughout this month as we all begin to cope with this tragedy.”