CHS grad among those killed in Las Vegas

A Cheney High School graduate was one of the 59 people killed in a shooting rampage at a country music concert Sunday night in Las Vegas.

Rachael Parker, 33, was among the first of the victims to be identified in the massacre that took place at the annual Route 91 Harvest concert. According to a story in the Daily Breeze, the 2002 Blackhawk graduate was 10-year veteran of the Manhattan Beach Police Department, working her way up from the parking meter division to becoming a records technician.

In a post on the department's Facebook page, Parker earned a bachelor's degree in social work from Colorado State University in 2016 and had recently applied for graduate school.

"Rachael had a passion for working with older adults, and she completed her undergraduate practicum with Manhattan Beach's Older Adults Program," the department wrote on its page. "Rachael had a love for dogs - especially her two adopted dogs, Maddie and Izzy. She enjoyed baking, country music, and LA Kings Hockey. Rachael's smile could light up a room, even on the most difficult of days."

Her mother, Robin Monter of Edwall, told KXLY that her daughter volunteered with the homeless and elderly and had a "heart of gold."

Monter flew immediately to Las Vegas upon hearing of her daughter's death. According to her daughter in law Heidi Monter of Cheney, she and Parker's stepfather and sister are all now in at her home in California.

Justin Monter, Heidi's husband, and his brother Tyrell were en route to California on Tuesday, driving the distance. Monter was in and out of cell range at press time, but did say the family is trying to cope with the tragedy.

"We're in shock right now," he said.

At least 59 people were killed and over 500 injured when the 64-year-old male shooter opened fire from two windows of his suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday. According to some news reports, the Mesquite, Nev.-man briefly engaged law enforcement when they finally confronted him before dying of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound before officers breached the front door and entered the suite.

In the Oct. 2 Daily Breeze story, Manhattan Beach Mayor David Lesser said Tuesday night's City Council meeting would be adjourned in memory of Parker and of another area resident killed in the attack, Manhattan Beach Middle School special education teacher Sandy Casey.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the friends, family and loved ones of those senselessly killed and injured in Las Vegas last night, including members of our community, particularly Manhattan Beach Unified School District special-education teacher Sandy Casey and Manhattan Beach police records technician Rachael Parker," Lesser said.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.