A gunman opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas, Nevada late Sunday, injuring more than 400 people and killing at least 58 — the deadliest mass shooting in recent US 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.
US President Donald Trump, American politicians, and world leaders quickly responded to the attack, offering condolences to the victims and their families.
A tragedy occurred in #LasVegas last night. My heart is with the families who lost loved ones and those who were injured in horrific attack.
— Sen. Al Franken (@SenFranken) October 2, 2017
A deeply sad day for the city of Las Vegas. London sends our condolences to the victims and their families.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) October 2, 2017
Terrible news from Las Vegas. Our thoughts are with all those affected and the emergency services working to save lives.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) October 2, 2017
Devastated to hear of the horrific tragedy in Las Vegas. My heart is with the victims and families. Grateful to the responders at the scene.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) October 2, 2017
This senseless violence must end—thoughts and prayers are simply not enough. We must act to prevent this from happening again.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) October 2, 2017
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