59 dead, more than 500 injured in mass shooting at Las Vegas music festival—UPDATED
[Photo by: Rosa Hwang/Twitter]
What we know so far:
—59 people were killed and 527 injured at a country music festival in Las Vegas, NV.
—A reported lone gunman, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, opened fire from the 32nd floor of Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Sunday night.
—Police say the gunman's motive is unclear, according to Washington Post.
—Around 22,000 people were attending the concert when Paddock opened fire, according to The Guardian.
—There were 17 guns in total found at the scene, including a number of long rifles were found in the alleged shooter’s room.
—The owners of the Guns and Guitars gun shop in Las Vegas who sold firearms to the gunman stated that he passed all the necessary checks required to purchase a weapon, according to NPR.
—The police are seeking video that could benefit in the investigation.
—Jason Aldean posted on Instagram, confirming he and his crew were safe and calling the events “beyond horrific.”
—If you are in the Las Vegas area and would like to donate blood for the injured victims, check out the full list of resources below:
Vegas is in need of blood donations. Go help if you can. pic.twitter.com/diF7kQd0Ap
— anthony green (@AnthonyGreen) October 2, 2017
—President Trump has spoken out on the shooting, calling it an “act of pure evil.”
Pres. Trump calls Las Vegas shooting “act of pure evil,” thanks police and first responders for “courageous efforts” https://t.co/jlBb29wCJt pic.twitter.com/ONUglYlDK8
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 2, 2017
UPDATE, 9:53 p.m. ET:
Reuters is reporting that according to the LVMPD’s sheriff, 59 are dead and 527 were injured during the shooting.
The LVMPD has released the following statement, via Rolling Stone: “Paddock opened fire on a crowd of more than 22,000 concert-goers from his hotel room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel on Sunday evening at approximately 10:08 p.m. The victims were across the street attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival concert when bullets rang out. LVMPD SWAT responded to the call, breached the hotel room and found the suspect dead.”
“The Clark County Fire Department estimated that approximately 406 people were transported to area hospitals and 50 are dead following Sunday evening’s shooting. Among the dead is an LVMPD officer who was off-duty at the time. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. There were also two on-duty officers injured, one of whom was upgraded recently from critical to stable condition. The other sustained non-life threatening wounds.”
UPDATE, 2:30 p.m. ET:
The MGM resorts are looking for certified trauma conselours who can volunteer.
We are in need of certified trauma counselors. pic.twitter.com/U95L16ZrqX
— MGM Resorts (@MGMResortsIntl) October 2, 2017
Sonny Melton was the first victim to be confirmed. His wife, Heather Gulish Melton, told Fox17 he lost her life trying to protect her. Other victims' names are being released.
Uber is offering free rides to and from blood donation centers and select hospitals in Las Vegas, as reported by KSNV News3. The service is being offered to people who wish to donate blood at United Blood Services at 6930 W. Charleston Blvd and 601 Whitney Ranch Dr, and to the following hospitals:
– Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center: 3186 S Maryland Pkwy
– University Medical Center: 1800 W Charleston Blvd
– Desert Springs Hospital: 2075 E Flamingo Rd
– Valley Hospital: 620 Shadow Ln
– UNLV Thomas & Mack Center: 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
– Family Reunification Center: Metro Headquarters, 400 S. MLK BLVD
UPDATE, 11:45 a.m. ET:
Sheriff Lombardo has confirmed in the LVMPD press conference that at least 58 have been killed and more than 515 injured in the mass shooting at a Las Vegas music festival last night. Law enforcement also shared that there is no confirmed connection to ISIS or foreign terror groups at this time.
The shooter checked into the hotel Thursday, Sept. 28. Police said they are unsure whether or not Paddock had tickets to the festival.
Clark County Commission Chair Steve Sisolak announced a Gofundme, with funds to be used to provide relief and financial support to the victims and families of the shooting.
The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino has gone back to service. The 32nd floor remains closed.
Media briefing with LVMPD Sheriff Lombardo on the shooting incident last night. https://t.co/3eUm4Ze30J
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) October 2, 2017
UPDATE, 10:44 a.m. ET:
It was previously reported that more 200 people were injured. Police confirmed, via press release, 50 people have died and 406 were transported to area hospitals. Police also report that one of the deceased from the shooting was an off-duty officer.
We are sadden to report that one of the deceased from Sunday night's shooting, was an off-duty #LVMPD police officer. #LVMPDnews
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) October 2, 2017
ORIGINAL STORY:
More than 50 were killed and 200 injured when a lone gunman opened fire into an outdoor country music festival in Las Vegas, police said.
A single shooter opened fire from the 32nd floor of Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Sunday night at 10:08 p.m. as country singer Jason Aldean headlined outside at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, reports say.
Insane…. this JUST happened. #PrayForVegas pic.twitter.com/RWgjFW7BHy
— Luke Broadlick (@LukeBroadlick) October 2, 2017
The suspect, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, is dead and police believe he “killed himself prior to our entry,” Sheriff Joseph Lombardo of Clark County said. The sheriff said police were looking for a person of interest named Marilou Danley, but have since made contact with her and do not believe she is involved. NBC identified the 62-year-old woman as Paddock’s roommate. “Marilou Danley is no longer being sought out as a person of interest. LVMPD detectives have made contact with her and do not believe she is involved with the shooting on the strip,” police said in a statement.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, two on-duty officers were injured during the shooting. One is in stable condition post-surgery, while the other sustained minor injuries.
The police are seeking video that could benefit in the investigation. If you have video associated with the event, respond to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department at 400 S. Martin L. King Blvd.
In response to phone calls and social media conjecture that there are multiple shooters at various resorts, police have said that has been proven to be false. Additionally, police have addressed accusations that explosives were involved as false. “The only explosive contained in this event was our SWAT team breaching the room,” Lombardo said during an early morning press briefing. “We are pretty confident there is no longer a threat other than we are attempting to locate the person of interest.”
Las Vegas Police Department Undersheriff Kevin McMahill told CNN at least eight guns and a number of long rifles were found in the alleged shooter’s room.
The death toll of at least 50 people makes this the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, following the 49 people killed at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub June 2016.
Police urged families looking to locate missing loved ones to call 1-866-535-5654.
For families looking to locate missing loved ones, please call 1-866-535-5654.
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) October 2, 2017
Aldean posted on Instagram, responding to the events, calling the events “beyond horrific.”
If you are in the Las Vegas area and would like to donate blood for the injured victims, visit Labor Health & Welfare Clinic, 7135 W. Sahara.
If you would like to donate blood for the injured victims of the Strip shooting visit the Labor Health & Welfare Clinic, 7135 W. Sahara.
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) October 2, 2017
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
