(COMMONDREAMS) — A gunman opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas, Nevada late Sunday, injuring more than 200 people and killing at least 50—the deadliest mass shooting in American history.
Law enforcement identified the lone suspected shooter as Stephen Paddock, a 64 year-old white male believed to be a local resident. Paddock was found and killed by police in the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, located across the street from the concert grounds.
According to Sheriff Joe Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Paddock opened fire at the thousands of concertgoers from the 32nd floor of the hotel at around 10:15pm local time. At least eight firearms, along with several long rifles, were reportedly found in Paddock’s room.
The Washington Post reports:
The gunman was previously known to local police for past run-ins with law enforcement, according to people familiar with the investigation. Recordings of the attack suggest the suspect used an automatic weapon.
The shooting occurred at the end of the Route 91 Harvest Festival, a three-day country music concert held over the weekend that reportedly drew 30,000 attendees. The concert grounds are adjacent to Mandalay Bay. The shots began as Jason Aldean, one of the final performers, was playing.
Videos of the horrifying scene quickly spread on social media. One witness told the local television station KLAS that “the shots just kept coming.”
“Everybody’s hiding everywhere, they’re hiding under the bleachers, and the stanchions, and anywhere they could,” she said.
Several videos caught the moment the first shots were fired.
Warning, the following videos are disturbing.
Insane…. this JUST happened. #PrayForVegas pic.twitter.com/RWgjFW7BHy
— Luke Broadlick (@LukeBroadlick) October 2, 2017
Dramatic video shows people scrambling for cover as gunfire rings out in Las Vegas. “I have to stay on top of you.” https://t.co/k2WTD6gM6A pic.twitter.com/5SL3GnhUCQ
— ABC News (@ABC) October 2, 2017
U.S. President Donald Trump, American politicians, and world leaders quickly responded to the attack, offering condolences to the victims and their families.
My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting. God bless you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2017
Praying for the victims and first responders in Las Vegas and our country right now. This shooting was a horrible and cowardly act.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) October 2, 2017
Tragic news out of Las Vegas this morning. Kelley and I send our prayers and deepest condolences to all those affected.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) October 2, 2017
My deepest condolences & prayers are with victims & their families of last night’s senseless & heartbreaking tragedy in #LasVegas.
— Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiPress) October 2, 2017
By Jake Johnson / Creative Commons / Common Dreams / Report a typo
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