Whitefish philanthropist helps rescue sniper victims in Vegas

Whitefish philanthropist Mike Goguen and his wife Jamie Stephenson helped carry dozens of victims to safety in the chaotic aftermath of Sunday’s mass shooting in Las Vegas.

Goguen and Stephenson were at the outdoor country music festival when the shooting occurred, killing at least 58 and wounding more than 500.

Goguen texted a message to David Winter of KHQ-TV, an NBC affiliate based in Spokane, at 1:30 a.m. Monday, saying he had helped rescue victims and that his hands were covered in blood. He told the TV station at least three of the people he attempted to rescue did not survive.

Stephenson posted to Instagram during the tragedy, saying “we will save as many people as we can. Carried 10s of people to transport already.”

In another post, Stephenson stated: “Continuous fire. Clearly an automatic machine gun ... MG and I personally helped numerous people and aided the wounded and dead … It was heart-wrenching but you don’t freak out. You … just help.”

Goguen is the financial backer of the Two Bear Air rescue helicopter service headquartered in Whitefish. He also is part of the rescue team.

In a post on Facebook Monday afternoon, Two Bear Air stated that Goguen’s “emergency medical training was exactly what he needed in this time of tragedy.”

Goguen purchased the Bell 429 helicopter to Two Bear Air and pays for maintenance, operating costs, hangar facilities, pilots, crew members and training.

A venture capitalist who made his fortune in the Silicon Valley of California, Goguen has donated millions to various Whitefish projects such as North Valley Food Bank, Wave aquatic and fitness center and the Whitefish Trail project.

He lives in Whitefish part-time.