Live Blog: Largest Recorded Mass Shooting In US History Occurs in Vegas
The police are now reporting that the suspect, Stephen Craig Paddock, had 20 guns in his room at the time he opened fire on the 20,000 attendees gathered for the Route 91 Harvest Festival beneath the Mandalay Bay hotel. Paddock had check in three days prior. NBC is also reporting that he had made several incredibly large gambling transactions in the tens of thousands of dollars, though it is unclear if these transactions involved losses or earnings.
As Dominic Rushe explains over at The Guardian, shares for the two biggest gun manufacturers (Sturm Ruger and American Outdoor Brands) have seen increases in their share value.
After mass shootings, investors see a solid investment as Second Amendment fundamentalists fear gun control measures and purchase more firearms.
CNN is reporting that the death toll from last night's horrific mass shooting in Las Vegas has led to at least 58 deaths and 515 injuries. The shooting at Pulse in Florida that occurred a little over a year ago - which had been the worst mass shooting up until this week - resulted in 49 deaths.
Reporters reached Eric Paddock, brother of suspected gunman Stephen Paddock, at his Central Florida home, who expressed complete disbelief and bewilderment over the actions of his brother.
“Not an avid gun guy at all...where the hell did he get automatic weapons? He has no military background,” gunman’s brother says pic.twitter.com/EMSKLQGYFM
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 2, 2017
There has been a hotline established for friends and family to call to learn if there is any information pertaining to their loved ones who were at the festival.
I hope this is helpful to anyone with a loved one in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/eDFuVgnbl1
— Walter Perez (@WalterPerez6abc) October 2, 2017
The Guardian has compiled footage taken by attendees caught in the midst of the Las Vegas shooting rampage carried out by a 64-year old named Stephen Paddock. Authorities have announced that they now believed that Paddock shot himself before police made entry into his hotel room.
Numerous videos are making their way around social media showing the chaos caused by last night's horrific shooting.
Witness Buzz Brainard: “Everyone was hiding under artists' tour buses… People were running as fast as they could” https://t.co/oMS5MrG50M
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 2, 2017
The gunman shot randomly in to crowds at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, which included some of the biggest names in country music. According to authorities, more than 400 people were injured in the attack in addition to the at least 50 individuals who were killed.
Major public figures including Barack Obama and Donald Trump have responded to the tragedy, which will go down as the largest mass shooting in US history to date.
Michelle & I are praying for the victims in Las Vegas. Our thoughts are with their families & everyone enduring another senseless tragedy.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 2, 2017
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
Police do not believe the shooting is in any way tied to terrorism. The suspect - Stephen Paddock, who was shot dead by police - had no criminal record and or evident motives. A background check revealed no criminal history of the Mesquite, Las Vegas resident.
Quinn Averett of the Mesquite Police Department confirmed these reports:
“We don’t have a lot on Mr. Paddock. He does live here in our city. We have not had any law enforcement contact with him in the past.”
The largest-ever mass shooting in US history occurred last night in Las Vegas. A shooter - identified by authorities as 64-year old Stephen Paddock - opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel.
Country music star Jason Aldean was performing at the time when bullets began raining down on concert goers, causes immense disarray as attendees fled for cover.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.