BC man who survived Las Vegas shooting says he’s now the target of online abuse

By Simon Druker

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A BC man who survived the worst mass shooting in modern US history says he’s now facing a torrent of online abuse and harassment, forcing him to shut down his social media accounts.

Braden Matejka has gone public, speaking with several international news outlets where he lays bare the details of his ordeal.

The 30-year-old was celebrating his 30th birthday in Las Vegas with his girlfriend when the country music festival they were at became a shooting gallery. Matejka was hit in the head by a bullet, but survived.

Now back at home in the Okanagan, he says he’s once again become a victim — this time, of what he calls conspiracy theorists.

“Your soul is disgusting and dark! You will pay for the consequences!” reads one Facebook post, a screenshot of which is shown in the UK’s Guardian newspaper.

There are several other similar comments, including death threats — “You are a lying piece of s— and I hope someone truly shoots you in the head,” reads another posting in the Guardian.

Some conspiracy theorists accuse him of being an actor, believing the U.S. government faked the shooting so it could push an anti-gun agenda.

The bullying, taunting and graphic threats have also spread to his family and friends.

Other Vegas survivors have come forward saying they’ve suffered similar abuse.

On October 1, a gunman opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel over a crowd of concert-goers on the Las Vegas Strip. Fifty-nine people, including the gunman, died in the massacre. More than 500 others were injured.

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