ReviewJournal.com - Opinion - EDITORIAL: 'These men are heroes'

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Jul. 11, 2007
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

EDITORIAL: 'These men are heroes'

Citizens help prevent a bloodbath on the Strip

Las Vegas Valley taxpayers and businesses spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year on security, surveillance and public safety. But no amount of money can protect all law-abiding citizens from motivated, sinister thugs who strike at random. Not even the safe environs of the Strip can make such a guarantee.

Patrons of the New York-New York hotel learned as much early Friday, when, according to police, Las Vegas resident Steven Francis Zegrean began firing a 9mm semiautomatic handgun from the mezzanine onto the casino floor.

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No police or security were in the immediate vicinity. Investigators said Zegrean emptied 16 bullets from his magazine, injuring four people.

As hundreds of hotel patrons fled for cover, 24-year-old tourist Justin Lampert, a North Dakota National Guardsman and Iraq war veteran, crouched and waited at the Nathan's hot dog stand. According to police, as Zegrean headed for the exit that leads to the MGM Grand he tried to shoot someone lying on the ground, but the gun jammed. He moved to reload the weapon.

Mr. Lampert pounced. He put the gunman in a headlock, prompting Zegrean to chomp on the staff sergeant's fingers.

David James, a 28-year-old Navy reservist and merchant mariner visiting from Jacksonville, Fla., ran to Mr. Lampert's assistance, grabbing Zegrean's gun and kicking him in the head. Then Bob and Paul Ura, brothers employed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, helped the two men restrain Zegrean until security guards and police arrived on the scene.

Had no one challenged Zegrean, he had enough ammunition to keep shooting until well after any armed officers arrived. Many more people would have been injured. Some might have been killed.

"These men are heroes," said Capt. James Dillon of the Las Vegas police robbery/homicide unit. "The subject was capable and he was motivated to continue shooting his weapon, but he was tackled and then taken into custody after the first volley of rounds."

In preventing a bloodbath, Mr. Lampert, Mr. James and the Ura brothers averted the kind of disaster that gives gaming executives and tourism officials nightmares. More importantly, however, they risked their own safety to preserve it for scores of strangers.

Their bravery is an inspiration -- and a lesson -- for everyone. Whether evil presents itself in the form of a disturbed lone gunman or religious fanatics backed by a terrorist network, how much damage is done and how many lives are lost can often be determined by the response of civilians, unarmed and out of uniform.

The passengers of United Flight 93 answered the call for heroes on Sept. 11, 2001. So did Jake Ryker, the Springfield, Ore., student who, despite being shot in the chest, wrestled Thurston High School shooter Kip Kinkel to the ground back in 1998. So have countless others over the years.

So did these four men.

"What we did," said Mr. James, "I feel like any average citizen would have done. Are we good Samaritans? Yes. Heroes? I wouldn't call us heroes."

Then we will. Las Vegans owe Mr. James, Mr. Lampert and Bob and Paul Ura their deepest gratitude for going above and beyond the expectations of any guest.

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Please enter your name Name: Please enter your email Email: Please enter a comment COMMENTS : (word count limit is 300) You have reached the maximum number of words allowed Current Word Count: Rina Lener wrote on July 23, 2007 03:53 PM: Ted, Thank goodness for men like these four heroes. Make them honorary citizens of LAS VEGAS. GOD BLESS AMERICA.... USSSaratogaWhiz wrote on July 11, 2007 05:05 PM: Thank you, RJ, for the editorial regarding the 4 heroes. It is certainly a great start toward encouraging the Las Vegas community to recognize their courage and to understand that we all owe them a debt of gratitude! [Restatement]: SSgt. Justin Lampert is now home in North Dakota. In a local (ND) news interview, Lampert said, "...the casino provided him with a free meal and left a large gift basket in his room." Wow! Do you think the NY-NY can afford all that? They really went all out, didn't they -- especially since the shooter still had 100 rounds of ammo stashed in his trench coat and could have shot dozens of people??? Do ya' think maybe they splurged on a replacement hot dog from Nathan's(since Lampert had to drop the one he just bought to stop the carnage)? Er...ah...how about comping rooms and hotdogs -- for life??? As a previous poster said, perhaps the NY-NY wasn't all that grateful. Good grief. From a dissapointed Las Vegan and FORMER patron of the NY-NY Winston wrote on July 11, 2007 02:38 PM: These men truly are heroes! I hope that Metro gives them the Medal of Valor, without these mens actions the situation would have been deadly. I also think they deserve a key to the city. And shame on New York New York for only offering a room. Are you kidding me? The casino should be treating them as they would the high rollers. now wrote on July 11, 2007 12:49 PM: so new york new york will comp hotels on their "next" trip to vegas.gee wiz thank you new york new york Jessi wrote on July 11, 2007 07:16 AM: And as expected .. the greed monger corporate casinos immediately downplayed these heroes actions because they didn't want to scare off tourists and their money. They offered these heroes free rooms on their NEXT visit .. but it's reported none of the men have heard that offer. Why don't these despicable hotels offer them free room NOW - during their current visit? They owe them MUCH MORE than a free room when one calculates the cost of negative publicity had this deranged gunman killed dozens on their property. Las Vegas casino greed is the worst of America. What a contrast to these men who put themselves in harms way to protect others. Las Vegas should be ashamed. Dan Strauss wrote on July 11, 2007 04:36 AM: Great story. I have heard and followed this over the internet as soon as I read it. I am active duty and when I retire, I will be calling Las Vegas my home. This is the kind of stories Americans love to read about, and quite frankly, should read about. Thank you very much for the article and please thank the writer. Sincerely, Dan Strauss United States Navy - 41 years old, 21 years in the Navy.