Austin William Davis, a 29-year-old White male from Riverside, California, was a man known for his kindness, genuine nature, and the immense love he held for his parents. He was a pipe fitter and a cherished friend, often described as a "mama's boy" in the most endearing way. His life was full of laughter and a youthful spirit, whether he was spending time with his high school sweetheart and girlfriend of nine years, Aubree Hennigan, or goofing around with childhood friends.
An avid softball player, his presence was a light in the lives of those who knew him.
In October 2017, Austin traveled to Las Vegas for a "guys trip" with a group of friends to attend the Route 91 Harvest festival. On the final night of the festival, October 1, 2017, what was meant to be a weekend of enjoyment turned into a scene of unimaginable horror. While enjoying the concert, a lone gunman, Stephen Paddock, opened fire on the crowd from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel. The barrage of bullets rained down on the unsuspecting concertgoers, creating chaos and tragedy. In the midst of this senseless act of violence, both Austin and his friend Thomas Day Jr. were fatally wounded.
The news of Austin's death sent shockwaves of grief through his family and community. In the days that followed, friends and loved ones gathered to remember the man with the big heart, even holding a "home run derby" to honor his love for softball. The community in Corona, California, where he had played on the adult softball league for many years, later dedicated a community baseball field in his memory, along with the other victims from their city. The perpetrator of the massacre, Stephen Paddock, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was identified as the sole person responsible for the attack. His motive remains undetermined, leaving behind a legacy of unanswered questions and profound loss for the families of all the victims, including the loving family of Austin William Davis.
