Parents: Wauwatosa native among Las Vegas shooting victims; "at least now we know"

SHOREWOOD, Minn. — The parents of a Minnesota man who had been missing after the mass shooting in Las Vegas say they have been notified he was killed in the attack.

Steven Berger, 44, a financial adviser who lived in Shorewood, Minnesota, and was a native of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, had been attending Sunday night's concert with his roommate and other friends -- celebrating his birthday at the Route 91 Harvest Festival.

His mother Mary says Steven's roommate saw him get shot and fall, but was prevented from getting to him as people were herded out of the venue.

"He was out with Steve and they were both at the concert. Steve was shot in the back or the front, wasn't sure and he fell down," Richard Berger, Steven's father said.

Back home in Brookfield, Steven's parents said days went by with no word on Steven's whereabouts or condition. It wasn't until Tuesday afternoon that they learned the news. They received confirmation from the Las Vegas Coroner's Office that Steven Berger had died.

"He's our only son," Richard Berger said, choking up. "It's terrible. At least now we know. Now we got busy things to do with three grandchildren."

Mary Berger described her son as fun-loving with a serious side and a hard worker. He was a star basketball player when he attended Wauwatosa West High School, and he also played in college, graduating from St. Olaf College. A father of three children, ages 15, 11 and eight, Steven loved his family, his mother said.

The Bergers said they had recently visited their son and grandchildren in Minnesota where they watched the youngest child play soccer and saw Steven's older daughter in her homecoming dance dress.

A fan of country music, Berger had been celebrating his 44th birthday with the Las Vegas trip.

Berger's employer said in a statement to FOX6 News: "It's a very, very, very sad day for all that knew him and had the opportunity to work with him. The world is a better place because Steve was in it."

EFS Advisors issued an additional statement Wednesday:

Berger's sister, Christine Moore said "our family is deeply saddened by this horrific event. Steve was a larger-than-life man who was a great dad to his three kids."