A deadly shooting outside the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas on Sunday night has left at least 58 people dead and over 500 others injured.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), “two on-duty LVMPD officers were injured during the shooting” while a third off-duty officer was pronounced dead.
The shooting took place during the Route 91 Harvest Festival, where more than 22,000 people were in attendance. According to officials, the lone gunman shot using an automatic weapon from his hotel room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. The shooting began at approximately 10:08 p.m. Pacific Time.
Witnesses described people running for their lives, hopping over fences, running through the hotel and casino, and hiding under anything they could find, including bleachers and cars.
"The shots just kept coming." Witness describes how people hid under her car following Las Vegas shooting https://t.co/3XVQyXXw2c pic.twitter.com/5z82ACAwzG
— CNN (@CNN) October 2, 2017
President Trump expressed his condolences via Twitter, before stating in his public speech that “it was an act of pure evil”:
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
Trump will be traveling to Las Vegas on Wednesday to meet with families of the victims and first responders:
Trump says he’s going to visit Las Vegas on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/eY61wEpQ5K
— Meg Wagner (@megwagner) October 2, 2017
Homeland Security released a statement saying, “At this time, we have no information to indicate a specific credible threat involving other public venues in the country. However, increased security in and around public places and events may be experienced as officials take additional precautions. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this incident as we work to support the Las Vegas community.”
The shooter is believed to be a local individual that acted alone.
LATEST: Vegas police: Not considering shooting act of terrorism "at this point"; no indication of motive yet. https://t.co/axKVjK8SZF pic.twitter.com/nm4f7Nov51
— ABC News (@ABC) October 2, 2017
Initially Vegas police stated that they did not believe it to be an act of terrorism, however, the Islamic State was quick to take credit, saying the shooter had converted to Islam a few months ago.
The suspected shooter is believed to be Stephen Paddock, 64. He was found deceased in his hotel room when SWAT entered. It was later confirmed that Paddock killed himself.
Upon searching the room, police found Paddock had “in excess of 10 rifles.”
The police also located Marilou Danley, a suspect they were in search of due to her connection with Paddock. Danley, who is listed as living with Paddock in Mesquite, Nevada, was found abroad and was not present during the time of the shooting. Paddock was apparently using some of her identification. Police do not believe Danley was involved in any way.
This is the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Previously, the deadliest mass shooting was the Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting that took place last June, in which 49 people were killed.
Police have asked that anyone in search of a missing loved one to call 1-866-535-5654. They have also set up a “family reunification center” at LVMPD headquarters at 400 S. Martin L. King Blvd. in Building B of the Clark County Sheriff’s office.
The LVMPD is also asking for anyone in the area willing and able to donate blood to please do so.
The FBI is asking that anyone with photos or video from the shooting to call 1-800-CALLFBI (255-5324).
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