JASON Aldean revealed his longtime security guard, Ryan “Rhino” Fleming, is dead four years after he “helped save his life” during the Las Vegas shooting.
The country superstar shared the tragic news on Instagram along with an emotional message about the pair’s close relationship growing up together in Georgia.
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On Wednesday, Jason, 44, posted a series of pictures with his childhood friend, including going out at bars and backstage at the singer’s stadium shows.
Another sweet snapshot showed Jason hand-in-hand with his wife, Brittany Aldean, as they walked into a concert venue with Ryan right in front of them.
In a heartfelt caption, he wrote: “Man this is a hard post to write. We lost one of our boys today.
“Ryan Fleming aka @rhinolin3 was a friend I grew up with in Georgia. He was a bouncer at our favorite bar in Macon when he was 18, then went to work for the Sheriffs dept as he got older.
“When it came time for me to hire a security guy that I knew would always look out for me and my family, There was no question for me that person was Rhino.”
The Burnin’ It Down crooner talked more about their time together: “He came out and traveled the world with us and for years if u saw me, Rhino wasn’t too far away.
“He was the person who pulled me offstage during the Route 91 shooting and put his life in danger to take care of me and my crew. He was a good man and an even better friend.
“We will all miss you brother and thank you for having my back all these years. We love ya Rhino! RIP.”
Jason’s wife, Brittany, commented on the post and also paid tribute to Rhino: “What a ride we were on …
“Traveling the world, joking every step of the way. I will love and miss you forever.
“Thank you for protecting us. You are family, forever and always.”
TRAGEDY STRIKES VEGAS
The ACM winner was on stage at the Route 91 music festival in October 2017 when gunfire erupted from the Mandalay Bay Resort across the street from the Las Vegas venue.
Nearly 900 people were reported injured from the incident and 61 people died, including the shooter, Stephen Paddock, who turned the gun on himself before police rushed in his room.
In 2019, Jason opened up about the traumatic event and his return to the city on Kelly Clarkson’s daytime talk show.
He said: “It’s obviously something that I wouldn’t wish on anybody. Going back to Vegas was something we wanted to do the right way.
“We didn’t want to go in and try to do it too soon.”
“But we’re on the other side of it now. We’re part of the Route 91 family now, so it’s a cool group.”
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