A lone gunman opened fire on a crowd of concertgoers in Las Vegas on Sunday night, killing at least 59 people and injuring more than 500 in the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history. The shooter, identified as 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock, fired from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino onto the Route 91 Harvest country music festival below.
Paddock, a resident of Mesquite, Nevada, rained down bullets from his hotel room onto approximately 22,000 attendees, creating a scene of chaos and terror. Witnesses reported hearing what initially sounded like firecrackers before escalating into rapid, automatic gunfire. Concertgoers scrambled for cover, with hundreds sustaining injuries as they attempted to escape.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to reports of the shooting around 10 p.m. local time. Upon entering Paddock’s hotel room, authorities found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators discovered an arsenal of 23 firearms in his room and an additional 19 at his residence.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Authorities have stated that Paddock acted alone and that there is no known connection to international terrorism. Prior to the incident, Paddock had no significant criminal history, apart from a minor traffic violation. He had checked into the hotel on Thursday, and hotel staff reported nothing unusual during their interactions with him.
The shooting unfolded during a performance by country music star Jason Aldean. Witnesses described a terrifying barrage of bullets lasting for several minutes. Fellow performer Jake Owen, who was on stage with Aldean, recounted the chaos as the gunfire erupted, forcing them to flee for safety.
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Map illustrating the location of the Las Vegas shooting, highlighting the Mandalay Bay hotel and the concert venue.
Law enforcement officials believe Paddock used a hammer-like object to shatter two windows in his hotel room before opening fire. He reportedly moved between the broken windows, potentially to gain different vantage points or to evade return fire. The sustained gunfire, described by some as sounding like a machine gun, continued for seven to ten minutes.
Flags across the country were lowered to half-staff in the wake of the tragedy. President Donald Trump addressed the nation, calling the shooting “an act of pure evil” and offering condolences to the victims and their families. He is scheduled to visit Las Vegas on Wednesday.
The shooting triggered a massive response from law enforcement and emergency services. Flights in and out of McCarran International Airport were temporarily grounded, and the Las Vegas Strip, typically bustling with activity, came to a standstill.
Paddock’s roommate, Marilou Danley, was located by authorities and is not considered a suspect in the shooting. Police searched their residence in Mesquite, a town about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas, as part of the ongoing investigation. Paddock’s brother, Eric Paddock, expressed shock and disbelief at his brother’s actions, describing him as an ordinary guy with no apparent reason for committing such a horrific act.
Financial records indicate that Paddock had engaged in several large gambling transactions in recent weeks, some exceeding $30,000 per day. It is unknown whether these transactions represent wins or losses. In 2012, Paddock sued the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas for a slip and fall incident. The hotel’s attorney described him as “bizarre” and “slovenly” during a deposition.
Country music star Jason Aldean, who was performing at the time of the shooting, confirmed his safety on social media and offered prayers for the victims. Vice President Mike Pence and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also expressed condolences and called for unity in the face of this tragedy. Authorities have established a hotline for families seeking to locate missing loved ones.
