Update: Gunman Kills at least 58; Injures more than 500 in Las Vegas Concert Shooting

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Category: World News
Published on Monday, 02 October 2017 07:44
Written by Janet Walker

A lone gunman, barricaded inside a hotel room overlooking an outdoor concert at the Mandalay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, has killed at least 58 and injured more than 500 in the deadliest mass shooting in American history.

The shooter identified as Steven Paddock, 64, from Mesquite Nevada, was staying on the 32nd floor and had checked into the hotel on September 28, 2017, with two duffel bags containing at least ten rifles.

Jason Aldean, the Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year, was onstage completing the final set of the three day, Route 91 Harvest Festival concert when from all reports pandemonium broke out as a barrage of bullets began to rain down on the crowd of about 22,000 unsuspecting concert goers.

The first shots rang out about 10:00P.M. local time. Multiple media agencies have reported witnesses saying the shots, sounding like firecrackers, began popping all around them. Dropping to the ground, the crowd to avoid what was thought to be crossfire, only made it easier for the shooter, positioned inside his room shooting through the window.

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With the type of automatic weapon used in this event, the possibility of firing 950 rounds per minute, the shooter appears to have been firing indiscriminately, spraying the crowd.

Las Vegas Police and FBI were on scene in minutes of the first shots. The shooting, which increased in speed, according to Jake Owen, a performer also on the Harvest Festival ticket, lasted nearly ten minutes.

"It was almost like an automatic weapon. At that point everyone on stage started running," Owen said.

In a dynamic entrance, used to knock suspects their mind set, police stack against each other and get as many weapons into the situation as possible establishing control, Las Vegas police blasted the door of Paddock's hotel room where they found a cache of weapons and ammunition. The shooter committed suicide and LVPD found him deceased.

Several off duty Las Vegas Police officers have been identified as among the dead and injured. The scene around the venue, was captured by local photographers, show the dead and dying, friends comforting each other, friends refusing to leave and others jumping fences.

The Islamic State has allegedly claimed responsibility for the shooting asserting Paddock has converted to Islam recently. At this time, there is no evidence or proof to suggest this claim is true

Mandalay Bay Resort tweeted – "Our thoughts & prayers are with the victims of last night's tragic events. We're grateful for the immediate actions of our first responders." @Mandalaybay

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In the accompanying images the MGM Resorts International added, "This evening there was a tragic active shooter situation at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. Law enforcement and emergency personnel responded quickly to the incident and secured the scene, Law enforcement requested that we put hotels in the vicinity on lockdown to endure guest safety. We will provide more information as it becomes available."

Vice President Mike Pence also posted a series of messages on Twitter, "To victims, families & loved ones affected by this senseless violence in Las Vegas. Karen & I are praying for you & offering our love. . ." The Vice President following with "The hearts & prayers of the American people are with you. You have our condolences and sympathies." He continued in a third tweet, "To the courageous first responders, thank you for your acts of bravery."

President Donald J. Trump also tweeted, "My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas Shooting. God bless you."

The Harvest 91 Shooting has now surpassed the June 12, 2016, Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, to take the title for the deadliest mass shooting in American history.

 

This is a developing story.

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