Wauwatosa native celebrating Birthday in Vegas killed during mass shooting

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WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Steve Berger of Wauwatosa was at the concert in Vegas on Sunday. His parents in Brookfield were left in the dark after learning he had been shot. 

Unfortunately, the family learned today that Steve did not survive. His parents, who still live in Brookfield, desperately tried to locate him.

"And we know it's so overwhelming out there, we don't know how long this is going to take," said Mary Berger, mother of Steve.

It was almost two days before Mary Berger found out that her son, 44-year-old Steve Berger was one of the victims who died in Sunday night's mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas.

"I think the waiting is the hardest, you just start breaking down again and I don't want to do that."

Mary says Steve was in Vegas celebrating his Birthday with college roommates as part of a yearly tradition.

"Steve was almost in the front row."

The group was near the stage when the gunfire started. 

"And then he just fell and his eyes were shut by the time.."

Steve's friends called Mary to tell her what happened. They say he was shot in the back. They stayed with Steve after he was shot but were separated when emergency responders arrived and they didn't know what hospital he was taken to for treatment.

"They were rushing out the people that weren't hurt."

Mary and her husband frantically called hospitals and authorities at the convention center in Las Vegas before learning of Steve's passing this afternoon.

"Just pray for the families is all I can say."

Steve lived in Minneapolis. He is survived by his 3 children. 



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