A man who was shot in the leg as he helped people evacuate during the carnage of Sunday’s Las Vegas massacre met with the president of the United States and is now speaking out about the reactions he’s since received.
Even a bullet couldn’t stop Thomas Gunderson from standing for the president with the utmost respect.
But as the Wednesday video went viral garnering over 17 million views, Gunderson said he received many attacks over his support for the president, of which he said he was already prepared for.
Now the 28-year-old has a message for America.
“So when I decided to post the things that I did, as well as accept some interviews, I did so with the intention of spreading an uplifting message during this horrific time in our country. I prepared my family beforehand knowing that there would be plenty of backlash and hateful comments,” he said.
Gunderson said, “I asked for everyone to leave the negativity out of it but let’s be honest, I knew that wouldn’t happen.”
He noted that hateful people are causing a greater divide in the country and if they respond with hate as well, it makes the situation worse.
“I’m asking that anytime someone does leave a hateful or aggressive comment that we simply ignore them. They want to get a rise out of us. They want to cause division and when we respond with hate as well, it simply worsens the situation and destroys the meaning behind this message,” he said.
“I will do my best to respond to the ones I can with complete class and love. Let’s continue to bring our nation together instead of fight with those simply looking to fight. I’m asking that as a favor for everyone reading my posts. Thank you so much for the love and I love all of you!!!.”
The message posted on Wednesday has gone viral, gaining over 13,000 reactions.
In a more recent Facebook post on Thursday, Oct, 5, Gunderson stressed that he doesn’t want to be called a hero.
“I have to make something clear right now because it is tearing me up. It literally makes me sick to my stomach when people call me a hero. I only had the opportunity to meet the president and share that video because I was in the hospital,” Gunderson said.
“Every single person did what they had to do that night and there was no wrong way to go about it. It honestly brings me to tears every single time I think of those who lost their lives Sunday night. There were people who gave their life protecting people they didn’t even know”, he went on to say.
